Springboks hooker Malcolm Marx could be returning to South Africa to further his club rugby career, according to a report in the local media.
The current World Rugby Player of the Year is currently plying his trade at Japan Rugby League One outfit Kubota Spears but according to Rapport, the Bulls have already started talking to Marx, but have not yet formally begun negotiations.
The Bulls are keen to acquire Marx‘s services as promising South Africa U20 hooker Esethu Mnebelele is set to leave the Pretoria-based outfit to join the Sharks later this year.
Mnebelele’s impending departure means Johan Grobbelaar, Juann Else, Juandré Schoeman and utility forwards Jan-Hendrik Wessels and Marco van Staden are other options at hooker for the Bulls.
Marx is familiar with Bulls’ head coach
Marx started his professional career at the Lions in 2014 and played there until 2019 under the guidance of current Bulls head coach Johan Ackermann before heading to Japan.
An unnamed source close to the Bulls camp told Rapport: “I think the competition for Malcolm will be very fierce.”
Meanwhile, it has also been reported that the Bulls’ Springboks backline duo Embrose Papier (scrum-half) and Canan Moodie (utility back) could leave the men from Pretoria after June 2027.
There is plenty of interest in Papier and Moodie from overseas clubs although an informed source feels that the Bulls’ attempts to hold on to Papier and Moodie’s services will be unsuccessful.
A source confirmed to Rapport that one of the clubs willing to pay a large amount of money for Papier is PREM Rugby outfit Sale Sharks, where the 29-year-old had a three-month loan stint in 2019 and 2020.
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The Bulls are aware of the interest in Papier.
‘The Bulls are fighting hard’
“It’s definitely a risk (to lose Papier), especially with the cold shoulder from the Boks. The Bulls are fighting hard,” said the source.
Papier was called up by Springboks head coach Rassie Erasmus for last month’s Nations Championship Tests, but after playing in the clash against Scotland at Loftus Versfeld, has since been returned to the Bulls.
As is the case with Papier, Rapport understands that overseas clubs are also determined to sign Moodie.
The 23-year-old can now consider options in Japan, among several offers, while he is in the final year of his contract with the Bulls.
Japan is a popular destination for the Springboks these days for a number of reasons. Players such as fellow Bulls star Kurt-Lee Arendse and Sharks duo Lukhanyo Am and Grant Williams have all signed deals with Japanese clubs in 2026.
Their departures could ultimately influence Moodie’s decision.
“Canan will also have a hard time staying with the Bulls,” a source told Rapport.
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