Jannes Kirsten the latest to quit as major Exeter exodus continues

Jannes Kirsten has become the latest Exeter Chiefs double-winner to quit Sandy Park. The Gallagher Premiership club has been swamped by a list of confirmed departures headed by the Montpellier-bound duo Sam Simmonds and Luke Cowan-Dickie and the Ulster-bound Dave Ewers.

Other key players from their all-conquering 2019/20 season such as Jack Nowell, Harry Williams and Joe Simmonds have also been strongly linked with moves to France. But one exit that was definitely made official on Friday was that of back-rower Kirsten who has agreed on a deal to return to the Bulls, his former club in Pretoria. 

A club statement read: “Jannes Kirsten admits it is with a heavy heart that he will leave Exeter Chiefs at the end of the season to return home to his native South Africa. The 29-year-old forward, who joined the Gallagher Premiership club in July 2019, is moving back to his former club, the Vodacom Bulls, on a three-year deal.

“A popular figure on and off the field, Kirsten has played a significant part in the recent success of the Chiefs, including helping the Devon club to a historic Premiership and European double in 2020.

“To date, Kirsten has amassed 75 first-team appearances for the club, scoring six tries in the process. The latest of those tries came in the recent Heineken Champions Cup fixture against the Bulls played at Loftus Versfeld.”

Kirsten said: said: “The past four years have been an unbelievable experience, not just in terms of my rugby, but my own personal life. Coming to Exeter was obviously a new challenge for me, but it’s one that has brought me so much. The club, the city, the people, they have all been amazing and I will leave at the end of the season with only happy memories. What I have been able to achieve is something I am very proud of and the friends I have made will be life-long.

“South Africa, however, is home for me and the time is right for me to go back there and continue the next chapter of my rugby career. Heading over to Pretoria just a few weeks ago with the Chiefs was very special, particularly as I never thought I would run out at Loftus as a visiting player.

“Also, getting the opportunity to show my homeland to my teammates and the staff that travelled was something I will remember. The Chiefs will always hold a big place in my heart and between now and the end of the season I will be doing everything possible to ensure my time here finishes on a high note.”

Exeter boss Rob Baxter added: “From day one and then when he was signing new deals, Jannes said he needed to have the option of going home because he didn’t know when the family would want him to get back from his European adventure.

“All I can say about Jannes is he has been a fantastic player for us, a fantastic bloke about the place and I will really miss him. He has been a real character and he came at a time when the club were achieving big things. He has played a big part in all of that and all I can do is thank him for that and hope he can have a successful end to his time at Exeter Chiefs.”