Boland have bolstered their squad with the loan signing of a Bulls back for the SA Cup.
According to rapport, centre Chris Smit will be available to Hawies Fourie’s side for the duration of the tournament, which kicks off on 6 March.
Boland open their campaign against the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein.
Smit, a versatile back capable of playing at centre or flyhalf, was named in Boland’s squad at the team’s season launch in Bellville this week.
The 30-year-old faced strong competition in the Bulls midfield from Harold Vorster, Jan Serfontein, PA van Niekerk, David Kriel and Stedman Gans, while wings Canan Moodie and Sebastian de Klerk have also shifted infield on occasion.
A former Paul Roos Gymnasium pupil, Smit joined the Bulls from the Cheetahs in 2022 after featuring in the Pro14. He has since represented the Pretoria-based outfit in the Vodacom URC, Investec Champions Cup and Currie Cup.
Smit previously enjoyed success under Fourie at both Maties and the Cheetahs. He was instrumental in guiding Maties to the 2019 Varsity Cup title and was named Player of the Tournament that year.
Boland finished fourth in last year’s SA Cup to qualify for the Currie Cup Premier Division, where they went on to reach the semi-finals and Fourie has made it clear that his side are targeting silverware this season.
Boland have also secured Sharks hooker Willem van den Heever on loan.
Beyond the men’s senior competitions, SA Rugby also confirmed key dates across the women’s, youth and club landscapes. The domestic season will begin with the rebranded Women’s Super League 1 on 15 February, while the Women’s Super League 2 gets underway on 4 July.
The annual Youth Weeks will again see alignment between boys’ and girls’ competitions. The U18 Craven Week and U18 Girls Week will take place from 6 to 11 July at Grey High School in Gqeberha, followed by SA Schools matches on 16 July. The U16 Grant Khomo Week and U16 Girls Week will be hosted by Kearsney College in Durban from 29 June to 3 July.
