Marx to the Bulls, “90% complete”
Malcolm Marx’s next destination looks close to settled. Afrikaans newspaper Rapport, cited by Planet Rugby, reports that talks between the Springboks hooker and the Bulls are 90% complete, according to one of its sources. Marx is 32 and has said he will see out the 2026/27 season with the Kubota Spears in Japan before returning to South Africa. He has not named a club.
The reported offer runs for three years, which could be the last major contract of his career. It would also bring him back under Johan Ackermann, the coach he played for at the Lions. The Sharks are said to be interested too, since they need a front rower after Bongi Mbonambi left for the Stormers.
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Pollard remains the open question
The Bulls have a bigger decision pending in the backs. Handre Pollard’s contract expires at the end of this season and the franchise wants to keep him. Japanese clubs are reportedly showing particular interest, and Rapport’s sources disagree on where things stand: one says the Bulls are positive he will extend, another says he cannot decide until next year. Pollard is reportedly weighing only a Bulls extension or a return to Japan, where he played for the Red Hurricanes in Osaka in 2015.
Elsewhere in the same report, scrum-half Embrose Papier has reportedly re-signed through 2027/28 after interest from Sale Sharks, and the Bulls have added double World Cup winner Kwagga Smith after his Japan contract with the Blue Revs was terminated. None of it is confirmed by the club.
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