Hot Chili signs for Toulouse- Latest senior Bull to depart

Chiliboy Ralepelle has accepted an offer to play for French giants Toulouse.

 

It was reportedly the second approach the club had made, after Ralepelle declined their initial offer.

 

A statement from the Bulls reads: 'The Blue Bulls Company and Ralepelle reached consensus on a possible extension in early May, on the proviso of the player also being offered a Springbok contract for 2014-15. A new offer, this time by Toulouse, prompted Ralepelle to decline the contract extension negotiated with the BBC.'

 

Bulls high performance manager Xander Janse van Rensburg said they did their best to keep Ralepelle at Loftus.

 

'Chiliboy decided it was time to move on. We respect his decision.'

 

Ralepelle (26) debuted for the Springboks in 2006 and has played 21 Tests. But he has started just two, and with minimal game time in the others. His Springbok prospects looked increasingly bleak with Bismarck du Plessis and Adriaan Strauss clearly preferred.

 

However, he has been installed as the Bulls' premier hooker in 2013 after years of playing back-up to others. His form for the Pretoria franchise has been good, but he is known to be deeply frustrated about the lack of international opportunities and broken promises from Springbok coaches.

 

Ralepelle, however, remained diplomatic in his parting shot.

 

'I always wanted to play abroad and this opportunity will provide that. I also feel that I will develop further as a rugby player in France, where different set skills will be required. I can only improve by playing over there.

 

'The Bulls were my life for so long, so of course I will miss it, but have peace of mind about my decision to move abroad. There are no ill-feelings on either side, it was just time for me to move on.'

 

The Bulls have already confirmed the departure of senior players Zane Kirchner, Morné Steyn, Juandré Kruger and Wynand Olivier this season. 

 

Meanwhile, Janse van Rensburg also confirmed that negotiations with scrumhalf Jano Vermaak have progressed well and are at an advanced stage.

 

'We are aware of the overseas offer made to Jano and this forms part of our negotiations,' he said.

The Bulls have only just gotten over a rebuilding phase to be in 2nd spot in the SuperXV.

After Bakkies, Matfield, Fourie Dupreez, Danie Roussouw and company left, the Bulls have done well to rebuild to where they are. 

However the French constant stealing of our best players is going to weaken the Boks selection pool, and the SuperXV pool.

Rapelle is easily the number3 ranked hooker in South Africa.

I uspected a while ago that this would happen.  I believe when this issue came up it was felt by both Sasue and me that he has reached his ceiling in SA rugby and is unlikely to proceed to Springbok level with other hooker being available.   This is a nice way to build up a sound "pension"  for him.  He is young enough to play for four and even six years in France - so the financial awards and benefits will be massivecompare to what he cn ccrue in SA.  

I do not regaard this as stealing of SA players - we are living in a global village and people must maximise the benefit assciated with their skills and that applies to both sport and other professional spheres.

However, if the local rugby franchises do not take proper care of their players - they are bound to suffer and that remains a problem for them.   However, it is also a problem that Meyer can assist in and that is to ensure that really talented players are selected for the Springbok side - and donkeys are left out - something that is missing altogether from his player identifications.   He still elects too many "donkeys and has bens to his squad. 

http://www.sport24.co.za/Rugby/Super15/Bulls-face-player-exodus-again-20130423