So its official Strauss is leaving, but to where?

The Cheetahs have confirmed that Springbok hooker Adriaan Strauss will not be renewing his contract in Bloemfontein.

The Cheetahs' Super Rugby skipper has been linked with a move back to Bulls for some time now but reports earlier this week suggested that he may stay in the Free State after the Cheetahs increased their offer.

However, on Friday the Free State Cheetahs Board of Directors  released a statement confirming that 34-Test cap hooker the will be moving on.

"Despite every effort, the Free State Cheetahs (Pty) Ltd. has regretfully been unable to come to terms with Adriaan Strauss on the renewal of his contract," read the statement.

"Initial negotiations over financial terms were met. However, other factors precluded the Free State Cheetahs from coming to an agreement with the player.

"We would like to acknowledge his tremendous service to Free State Cheetahs rugby and wish him the very best in his future endeavours."

Meanwhile, the Cheetahs have filled the void at prop following the departure of Trevor Nyakane to the Bulls by signing Leopards loosehead Bennie Uys.

The 26-year-old came through the ranks of the Leopards, making his Currie Cup debut in 2010.

Uys was part of the Southern Kings' training group prior to the 2013 Super Rugby season, but was later released.

The Vodacom Bulls look set to have completed the biggest signing of the season after the Toyota Cheetahs confirmed they had given up on keeping their captain Adriaan Strauss in Bloemfontein this season.

As reported back on 1 July, Strauss is set to sign at the Bulls and possibly lead them in next year’s Vodacom Super Rugby tournament and beyond in a deal that will go down as the transfer deal of the year locally.

Along with his fellow Cheetahs players Trevor Nyakane and Lappies Labuschagne, Strauss will see the Bulls once again dominate the local market as they hope to shake off a lacklustre Vodacom Super Rugby season this year and return to being the premier South African franchise in the competition.

The Cheetahs released a three paragraph statement confirming they had given up the fight for Strauss. This despite a higher offer and increased pressure from businessmen in Bloemfontein to keep him in the Central franchise.

And while Strauss has kept mum on the whole matter, it is expected that he will sign with the Bulls in the next few days, with an official announcement probably on Monday.

“Despite every effort, the Free State Cheetahs (Pty) Ltd. has regretfully been unable to come to terms with Adriaan Strauss on the renewal of his contract,” the Cheetahs statement said.

“Initial negotiations over financial terms were met. However, other factors precluded the Free State Cheetahs from coming to an agreement with the player.

“We would like to acknowledge his tremendous service to Free State Cheetahs rugby and wish him the very best in his future endeavours.”

Strauss met with the Bulls when the transfer season opened looking for a new opportunity after several attempts from the Pretoria franchise in the past to lure him back to Pretoria were unsuccessful. Strauss left the Bulls after making his Super Rugby debut for them as a 21 year old and playing his junior rugby at Loftus before deciding to move back to Bloemfontein at the end of 2007.

Part of the problem was also that Strauss has two businesses in the city and significant pressure was put on him to stay in Bloemfontein, prompting a drawn out process.

Strauss is likely to slot in ahead of Callie Visagie and Bandise Maku, after hooker Bongi Mbonambi decided not to renew his contract and signed with the Stormers for the forthcoming season.

Mbonambi’s decision is understandable, as he would have sunk from no 2 to 3 in the hooker rankings at the province without doing anything wrong.

Sadly Strauss and company have sold their rugby souls. Bulle cheque book rules keeping this rugby wasteland alive. Bwahaha hahahahahaha