Sharks announce signing of former Junior Bok Marnus Potgieter from Bulls

The Sharks confirmed the signing of former Junior Springbok Marnus Potgieter from the Blue Bulls on Thursday.

The signing of 21-year-old Potgieter from their local rivals follows a recent pattern of the Sharks securing some of their own top young talents. In recent weeks, the Durban side has secured services of their young academy products and former Junior Boks Jaden Hendrikse, Pepsi Buthelezi and Celimpilo Gumede. They recently followed that up by tying up Preparations Series breakout star Ntuthuko Mchunu with a new deal as well.

Potgieter was believed to be in the Bulls plans

Potgieter was thought to not be too far off the plans of Bulls coach Jake White, having been named in his Super Rugby Unlocked side, and eventually took to the field to make his debut for the Pretoria side last year, playing against the Free State Cheetahs.

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He was then expected to play a more prominent role in this year’s Preparations Series for the Bulls, which he did, with White giving the former Affies scholar more minutes and even starts in the sky blue jersey, with Potgieter benefitting from the absence of Blitzbokke star Stedman Gans who had enjoyed a stellar breakout year in the fifteen-man game last year, before suffering an injury.

Gans suffering another injury in his only Preparations Series appearance against the Stormers had many believing that Potgieter would finally get an extended opportunity to stake a claim for the number 13 jersey, but that was afforded to fellow youngster and former Bulls u21 teammate Marco Jansen van Vuren.

It became apparent he wouldn’t get the game time he desired

Seeing Van Vuren grow from strength to strength at outside centre may have helped to make Potgieters mind up about where he could have a better chance to make the most of his career as he enters a crucial period in his rugby journey.

Potgieter still holds being the Junior Boks first choice outside centre at the 2019 World Rugby Under-20 Championships as his greatest achievement yet and will now be hoping to win trophies with the Sharks