Akker joins the Loftus kraal: How good has the Bulls' buying spree been for the new season?

Following an underwhelming season in Europe and the Currie Cup, where they focused on continuity in terms of their playing ranks, the Bulls have gone on a substantial recruitment drive for the 2023/24 campaign.

Jake White, the franchise's director of rugby, had intimated after his charges fell comfortably short in a URC quarter-final against the Stormers that revitalisation was needed.

He was particularly adamant that the Bulls needed to add players with the proverbial X-factor, especially since the Capetonians had illustrated how important game-breakers are for success at that level.

On Friday night, news broke that three-cap Springbok hooker Akker van der Merwe would be leaving his English club, Sale, with immediate effect to move to Loftus.

It now means the Bulls have made nine new signings.

But will they make White's product better, particularly in terms of providing quality depth to compete effectively on three fronts?

News24 takes a look.

ELITE PERFORMERS

Wilco Louw (tighthead)

When this signing was announced in the middle of the season, there were already murmurs that it could prove a masterstroke. 

The Bulls have struggled to fill the void left by Trevor Nyakane back in late 2021 and have perhaps discovered that a backed Mornay Smith is a good player instead of a potentially world-class one.

In the 14-cap Springbok, they've now found one.

The genius of this move is that Louw is undeniably a proven, top-class performer at this level and merely saw his stock soar in England with Harlequins, but remains on the fringe of Springbok selection, meaning he'll be consistently available.

A brilliant piece of business for a player in his prime at 28.

Akker van der Merwe (hooker)

White's search for game-breakers need not be confined