Bulls Land World Rugby Player of the Year Malcolm Marx in Major Signing

The Vodacom Bulls have pulled off one of the biggest signings in South African rugby, announcing the acquisition of World Rugby Player of the Year Malcolm Marx on a long-term contract from July 2027. The Pretoria club described the deal as a major statement of intent as it builds a squad capable of winning trophies under coach Johan Ackermann. Marx, 32, is a two-time Rugby World Cup winner with the Springboks, lifting the trophy in 2019 and 2023, and one of the most decorated forwards in the country's history. He has earned 94 Test caps and scored 29 Test tries, the most by any forward in Springbok history — a record he is still adding to while on tour in Europe with the national side. The move is a homecoming of sorts. Marx grew up in Johannesburg, played school rugby at King Edward VII School, and starred for the Lions during their golden era, helping them reach three consecutive Super Rugby finals in 2016, 2017 and 2018. He has spent the past six years playing his franchise rugby in Japan. He will also reunite with Ackermann, the coach who first brought him through at the Lions as a teenager. The signing follows the Bulls' recent acquisition of Springbok loose forward Kwagga Smith. Club chief executive Edgar Rathbone called Marx one of the best players in the world and said bringing him to Pretoria showed the club's ambition clearly. Marx said he was incredibly grateful for the chance to join such a historic club and looked forward to helping the Bulls achieve their goals.