Bulls confirm another Bok's departure

NEWS: It is one of the worst-kept secrets, but the Bulls have confirmed the departure of a star Springbok.

The Bulls confirmed that openside flank Marco van Staden will be leaving Loftus Versfeld at the end of June, to further his career with the Leicester Tigers in England.

Van Staden, more affectionately known as Eskom by his peers, quickly became a crowd favourite with his intense work rate and insane physicality on the field.

He excelled through the junior ranks at Loftus, working his way up and earning 29 Super Rugby caps and featuring in 18 Carling Currie Cup matches.

Add to that three appearances for the Springboks, and its safe to say that the young man has had an electrifying start to his career.

Confirmation of his departure follows the report last month that Springbok scrumhalf Ivan van Zyl will depart Loftus Versfeld to join English club Saracens.

Van Staden will join a host of South Africans in the Tigers camp - Jasper Wiese, Hanro Liebenberg, Cyle Brink, Jaco Taute and Kobus Van Wyk.

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"Marco is a phenomenal player," Jake White, Director of Rugby, said.

"He is probably one of the most complete number No.6 flanks in the world currently.

"Situations like these are always met with mixed emotions. I never want to lose a player of his caliber, but I'm also excited and proud of the player he has become.

"We wish him all the best with his journey ahead and know he will grow from strength to strength and will be a massive asset for Leicester."

Van Staden humbly thanked the Bulls, "My time at Loftus has been amazing to say the least. The

"Bulls have always backed me and helped me grow as a person on and off the field.

"I will forever be grateful for the opportunities and lessons from the Bulls family.

"To each and every person that has impacted my career thus far, the guys that I played with, the coaches and management, and the staff at Loftus, I sincerely thank you.

"I may be moving on, but I truly hope that our bond will remain."