Former Stormers lock Cobus Wiese to join Bulls from Sale

South African lock Cobus Wiese will return to home shores when he joins the Bulls from Sale Sharks at the end of the season, the Pretoria franchise confirmed on Thursday.

The 26-year-old forward, who plied his trade at the Stormers before joining English club Sale Sharks in 2020, is the younger brother of Springbok No 8 Jasper Wiese.

After four years playing Premiership Rugby, Wiese will bring valuable northern hemisphere rugby intel to the Bulls, who are currently third in the United Rugby Championship standings.

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It's with a heavy heart the club will be saying goodbye to Cobus Wiese at the end of the 2023-24 season ??.

After almost four dedicated years in the Sharks jersey Cobus is heading back home ????

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"We take pride in attracting quality players into our fold and we are extremely happy to bring a player of Cobus’s ability to the Vodacom Bulls," said director of rugby Jake White.

"He is a talented lock who can play at flank, too, so he is versatile and that adds to our arsenal. I do not doubt that he also brings experience with him, having spent these past few years in England and that will be an added bonus for our team as we continue to compete in the North.

"It is great to have more quality South African rugby players returning to the country to play their rugby here. This will benefit our overall product in the competitions we play.

"It also adds more depth to available options and improves the quality of the game that fans get to see.

"We cannot wait to welcome Cobus home."

Wiese's recruitment is thought to be in response to the contract of Jacques du Plessis not being renewed earlier this month, the long-haired enforcer being dogged by injuries ever since returning to