Odendaal swaps Loftus for Ellis Park

In a significant boost to the Lions midfield, former Bulls captain Burger Odendaal (above) has signed a one-year deal with the Joburg side.

It will be a homecoming of sorts for 27-year-old Odendaal, who was born in Bloemfontein but matriculated at Monument High School in Krugersdorp and played Craven Week for the Golden Lions in 2011.

After leaving high school, Odendaal opted to further his studies at the University of Pretoria, turning out for the Bulls from the 2013 season.

Last year he was promoted to captain by former Bulls coach Pote Human.

However, newly appointed Bulls director of rugby, Jake White, made it clear that Odendaal did not form part of his plans, and Odendaal had since been in talks with the Lions, as well as some Japanese clubs.

He was set to link up with several former Bulls teammates who had also signed with the Lions, including fullback Divan Rossouw, centre Dan Kriel, utility back Duncan Matthews, flank Roelof Smit and scrum-half Andre Warner.

Odendaal, who played 56 Super Rugby games for the Bulls, was expected to provide another boost for the Lions, following the recent announcements that Springbok prop Ruan Dreyer was returning from Gloucester and wing Rabz Maxwane was moving to Joburg from the Cheetahs.

He was due to compete with the likes of Kriel, Matthews, Wandile Simelane and Manny Rass for a place in midfield.

It was previously reported that Odendaal’s contract at the Bulls was in the region of R3 million, which was considered too expensive by White, but the details of his deal with the Lions was being treated as confidential.

Meanwhile, former Stormers and Leicester Tigers fullback/ centre EW Viljoen was also apparently on his way to the Lions, though the union had not yet confirmed his signature.