The Bulls have confirmed the signing of Springbok loose forward Kwagga Smith on a three-year contract, with the 33-year-old set to return to South African rugby after eight years with Yamaha Júbilo — now the Shizuoka Blue Revs — in Japan.
Smith's return comes as he recovers from a torn ACL and meniscus suffered in May 2026, which ended his Blue Revs season. He has since been medically cleared to return to play at the end of December and says he is already jogging, targeting a comeback in early 2027. His wife is also expecting in January, a factor he cited in the timing of the move.
Bulls coach Johan Ackermann previously worked with Smith at the Lions and was fulsome in his assessment. "Wherever he goes, he makes a difference, and I look forward to him contributing both on and off the field," Ackermann said.
Smith described playing under Ackermann as one of his best experiences and said he is excited to return. "I miss the rugby, but I'm feeling good," he said.
Bulls CEO Edgar Rathbone pointed to Smith's work rate and physicality as central to the signing. "He has never lost his hunger... He will drive standards inside our group."
Smith's CV needs little elaboration: two World Cup winners' medals (2019, 2023), the 2021 Lions series, Rugby Championship titles in 2019, 2024 and 2025, more than 60 Test caps, Commonwealth Games gold with the BlitzBoks in Glasgow in 2014, and Olympic bronze in Rio in 2016.