Bulls sign former Junior Bok Cobus Wiese from Sale Sharks

Sale Sharks lock Cobus Wiese will return home to South Africa at the end of the season to join the Bulls on a two-year deal.

The former Junior Springbok, 26, joined the Gallagher Premiership outfit in 2020 from the Stormers and has gone on to make 77 appearances to date.

He will team up with former South Africa head coach Jake White at Loftus Versfeld.

Wiese's older brother, South Africa No8 Jasper, has also confirmed his departure from Leicester Tigers at the end of the season, although his next destination is yet to be revealed.

Last year's Premiership runners-up currently sit in seventh place in the league, while the Bulls sit in third place in the United Rugby Championship.

Sale have already lined up Wiese's replacement at the AJ Bell Stadium, confirming the signing of Le Roux Roets from the Sharks earlier this week.

Sale director of rugby Alex Sanderson said of Wiese's departure: “Cobus will be missed by all of us on so many levels. He’s the most polite and courteous of people off the field, but the most wildly excitable man on the field, and on a night out.

“To say Cobus wears his heart on his sleeve is to do him a disservice with regards to his emotional commitment for which his body has paid the price on occasion.

“He leads by example and has earnt the respect and adoration of the group both on a professional and a personal level. We wish him every success and happiness with his move back home.”

Wiese's future director of rugby White said: “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.

"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.”