Springbok centre Jan Serfontein is all set to bring his magic back to the Vodacom Bulls, sealing a three-year deal that marks his return to Loftus after a sophisticated sojourn in France. With the coaching baton having recently passed from Jake White to Johan Ackermann, Serfontein's timing couldn’t be better, especially with Ackermann fresh off a victory with the Junior Springboks at the World Rugby U20 Championship in Italy.
Serfontein, who wore the Bulls' colors from 2013 to 2017, ventured to Montpellier for a five-year spell before deciding to return to his roots. The 32-year-old inked his contract under White's tenure, but it’s Ackermann he’s looking forward to collaborating with. “
“I’m excited to work with him and have heard good things about him,”
Serfontein shared with Rapport. “He’s achieved good results with the teams he’s worked with.” Indeed, Ackermann's reputation precedes him, known for knitting teams closely together.The allure of the Bulls, who have been basking in success recently, was too tempting for Serfontein to resist. “
“The fact that the Bulls have done so well in the last few years made the decision to come here much easier,”
he elaborated. “I wanted to be part of the team. It’s a strong team and a strong group.”While the original plan was for Serfontein to rejoin the Bulls fray in 2024, a slight detour in his plans occurred as he stayed back in France to ensure his family secured French citizenship. Reflecting on this decision, Serfontein expressed no regrets: “It was the right decision to stay there for the extra year to make sure of our French citizenship,” he affirmed, highlighting the importance of settling his family’s future amidst his professional commitments.
With Ackermann set to be officially introduced to the media on Wednesday, the stage is set for Serfontein to reintegrate into a team that's not only familiar but also thriving under its new leadership. The Bulls are undoubtedly eager to see how the seasoned centre's return can further fortify their ranks as they continue to chase glory in the United Rugby Championship.