SA URC player transfers: Who’s in, who’s out
Here's a list of all the player movement, in and out, at the four South African URC teams ahead of the new season.
The 2026/27 season of the United Rugby Championship begins on Friday and concludes in June. Leinster, based in Ireland, hold the title from the previous year. The Stormers are the sole South African team to have claimed the championship, in 2021/22, while the Bulls have taken part in four finals. Numerous changes in player mobility transpired during the off-season, with all four South African teams actively engaged in the transfer market. Below is an account of the incoming and outgoing players for the new season.
BULLS
Thaakir Abrahams moved to Munster, Curwin Bosch joined Brive, Luan Giliomee transferred to Sharks, Hakeem Kunene also headed to Sharks, Hanro Liebenberg departed for Leicester, Dylan Maart shifted to Griquas, Mdanda left for Sharks, and Xamlashe joined Pumas.
OUT
Kurt-Lee Arendse relocated to Sagamihara Dynaboars, Johan Goosen announced his retirement, Henry Immelman joined Cheetahs, Jannes Kirsten signed with Mont-de-Marsan, Kriel went to La Rochelle, Louw transferred to Stormers, Nortjé moved to Kubota Spears, and Serfontein retired.
LIONS
Hyron Andrews joined Sale Sharks, Boeta Chamberlain transferred to Newcastle, JP du Preez moved to Red Hurricanes Osaka, Kasende found a new home with Ospreys, Moos signed with Stormers, Notshe headed to Montauban, and Venter transferred to Edinburgh.
OUT
Dobela departed for Narbonne, Landsberg moved to Sharks, Lombard left for Sharks, Mafura became unattached, Marais retired, Pohlmann relocated to Boland, Schoeman shifted to Narbonne, Steenkamp became unattached, and Pead transferred to Stormers.
SHARKS
Landsberg moved to Lions, Besag joined USA, Don joined Blitzboks, Mnebelele relocated to Bulls, du Toit moved to Bath, Koster joined Hino Red Dolphins, Lewies transferred to Harlequins, Hartzenberg was signed by Stormers, Lombard opted for Lions, Roelofse shifted to Perpignan, Stassen departed for Brive, and van Zyl joined Saracens.
OUT
Am transferred to Sagamihara Dynaboars, Bleuler went to Gloucester, Dlamini joined Sale, Fassi moved to Toshiba Brave Lupus, Fourie headed to Stormers, Giliomee left for Bulls, Kolisi transferred to Stormers, Kunene joined Bulls, Malan moved to Cardiff, Mdanda returned to Bulls, Orie became unattached, Scheepers joined Pumas, Smith transferred to Benetton, Venter retired, and Williams signed with Kobelco Steelers.
LIONS
Kolbe joined Suntory Sungoliath, Kolisi shifted to Sharks, Louw transferred to Bulls, and Pead joined Lions.
OUT
Du Plessis joined Bordeaux Bègles, Duvenage retired, Groves signed with Scarlets, Maart moved to Bulls, Moerat went to La Rochelle, Hartzenberg was signed by Sharks, Maart left for Bulls, Moos transferred to Lions, Ntubeni retired, Weilbach joined Saracens, and van Heerden headed to Montpellier.
Written by urgent.news from The Citizen's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
