Johan Ackermann has pulled off a major transfer coup, hijacking Dylan Maart from the Stormers to solve the Vodacom Bulls’ Kurt-Lee Arendse conundrum before it becomes a crisis. In a move that reeks of shrewd succession planning, the Bulls boss has gazumped his Cape Town counterparts to secure one of the United Rugby Championship’s form wingers.
According to Rapport, Ackermann moved decisively to snap up the 29-year-old flyer, effectively snatching him from under John Dobson’s nose just as the Stormers director of rugby was contemplating making Maart’s loan spell permanent. It’s the kind of transfer business that separates title contenders from also-rans, and the Bulls have once again demonstrated why they remain South Africa’s shrewdest operators in the player market.
Maart, currently turning heads on loan at the Stormers from Griquas as part of a development agreement between the two unions, will complete this year’s Currie Cup campaign with the Peacock Blues before making the trek north to Loftus Versfeld. The Paarl product has been nothing short of a revelation in Cape Town this season, making significant contributions in both the URC and the Investec Champions Cup with performances that caught the eye of coaches across the competition.
So impressive has the winger been that Dobson publicly admitted earlier this season that he’d love to retain Maart’s services on a permanent basis. Those hopes have now been comprehensively dashed by Ackermann’s swift intervention.
The signing addresses what could have been a gaping hole in the Bulls’ backline. Springbok speedster Arendse, who has been a cornerstone of the Pretoria outfit since joining in 2020, will depart when his contract expires in June. The electric fullback-turned-wing is bound for Japanese club Mitsubishi Sagamihara DynaBoars, leaving behind significant boots to fill at one of South African rugby’s most demanding provinces.
Maart faces the daunting challenge of stepping into that void, but his recent form suggests he’s more than equipped for the task. Playing under Griquas coach Pieter Bergh since 2024, the 29-year-old has developed into a complete winger, lethal in space, solid under the high ball, and defensively astute. Those qualities will be essential as the Bulls chase silverware across multiple competitions.
The transition timeline works perfectly for all parties involved. Arendse departs in June after honouring his Bulls commitments, Maart returns to Griquas for their Currie Cup campaign, ensuring the Kimberley-based union benefits from his development, before linking up with his new employers when the dust settles on the domestic season.
But Ackermann isn’t finished strengthening his backline arsenal. In further evidence of the Bulls’ aggressive recruitment strategy, Sharks utility back Hakeem Kunene is also reportedly Pretoria-bound later this year. The versatile back brings much-needed depth and flexibility to a squad that’s competing on multiple fronts in an increasingly congested rugby calendar.
The Kunene acquisition adds another dimension to what’s shaping up as a formidable backline overhaul. While losing a player of Arendse’s calibre would send most franchises into panic mode, the Bulls have moved proactively to not just replace, but potentially upgrade their options.
For the Stormers, it’s a bitter pill to swallow. They’ve invested time into Maart’s development this season, only to watch him walk away to a direct rival. Dobson will rue not tying down the winger earlier.
For Griquas, there’s a silver lining. They’ll get their man back for the Currie Cup, where his experience at the highest level will prove invaluable as the Peacock Blues look to make their mark in South Africa’s premier domestic competition. It’s exactly the kind of return on investment that makes these development partnerships worthwhile.
