Springbok’s Sharks departure confirmed while Bulls finally complete fly-half signing
Sharks scrum-half Grant Williams and an inset of Brive's Curwin Bosch.
The Sharks have announced the departure of a top Springboks star, while the Bulls have reportedly completed the signing of a utility back.
Grant Williams completes Japan move
Springboks scrum-half Grant Williams will take his talents to an unnamed Japanese club next season, the Sharks have confirmed.
“Grant Williams will depart at the end of the season as he heads to Japan. Wishing you all the best on your next chapter,” a social media post by the Sharks read.
It has not been announced which Japan Rugby League One club Williams will be joining, but the number nine sparked rumours that it could be the Kobe Steelers who he followed on Instagram, amid reports of his departure.
While Williams’ departure will be a significant blow for the Sharks, the Durbanites are reasonably well stocked in the position in the form of fellow Bok Jaden Hendrikse, former Canada international Ross Braude, and up-and-comers Bradley Davids and Tiaan Fourie.
Furthermore, Rapport reported last month that Saracens scrum-half Ivan van Zyl will be returning to South Africa next season, signing with the Sharks as a replacement for Williams. The 30-year-old has played six times for the Springboks, but all of those caps came in 2018, and he hasn’t been recalled to the squad since.
The confirmed and reported signings include props Nemo Roelofse (Stade Francais) and Thomas du Toit (Bath), hooker Siphosethu Mnebelele (Bulls), lock Stephan Lewis (Harlequins), back-rower Hendre Stassen (Brive), and Gianni Lombard (Lions).
Williams’ move to Japan comes after he cemented himself as a regular feature in the Springboks matchday squads in 2025, racking up 11 appearances and three tries, taking his international tallies to 28 and seven, respectively.
Other departures from Durban include Mawande Mdanda (Bulls), Siya Kolisi (Stormers), and Jean Smith (Benetton).
Bulls land Curwin Bosch signature
While the Sharks have confirmed the departure of a Springbok, the Bulls look to have landed the signature of one, with Curwin Bosch’s return to South Africa reportedly completed.
Afrikaans publication Rapport has linked Bosch with the Bulls in recent months, with the Pretoria club in the market for fly-half cover following the retirement of Johan Goosen. They approached Dragons’ number 10, Tinus de Beer, but were unable to come to an agreement with the Welsh club over his early release.
That failed move prompted the focus shift to Brive-based Bosch, who has been plying his trade at the French Pro D2 club since leaving the Sharks at the end of the 2023/24 season.
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French publication La Montagne has now reported that Bosch has put pen to paper to complete his move to the Bulls and will link up with the Pretoria-based club at the end of the French season.
The 28-year-old will provide cover for the Bulls at full-back and fly-half, which he has done for Brive this season, who are in the Pro D2 play-off picture, ranking fifth overall after 27 rounds of action.
The Bulls have also confirmed the signing of Leicester Tigers back-rower Hanro Liebenberg, while they have also been linked with moves for Griquas and Stormers winger Dylan Maart and Munster back Thaakir Abrahams.
However, they will be losing the likes of Wilco Louw (Stormers), Mnebelele (Sharks), Ruan Nortje (Japan), and David Kriel (La Rochelle) while Kurt-Lee Arendse is rumoured to be returning to Japan as well.
