Luan Giliomee will join the Bulls earlier than planned after the Pretoria-based side agreed an immediate release with the Sharks for the 19-year-old utility back.
Giliomee was originally expected to move during December after signing a three-year contract with the Bulls. Instead, he is due to report for training in Pretoria this week, despite starting the opening two games of the United Rugby Championship season with the Sharks.
The agreement between the two franchises means Giliomee will leave Durban while the Sharks receive former Junior Springbok captain and highly rated young hooker Esethu Mnebelele in return.
The move will be a blow to the Sharks, given Giliomee’s promising start to the campaign, but his arrival is expected to strengthen the Bulls’ squad. His final appearances for the Durban side included a Man of the Match performance in their opening-round United Rugby Championship victory over Ospreys.
Bulls head coach Johan Ackermann told Rapport that the team were excited to bring the youngster into their set-up.
“He’s a player with a lot of X factor. He reads the game well and he has already shown that he can play in two positions,” Ackermann said.
“We know he’s a No 10 or 15. He’s going to provide good competition for our players. For a young player, it’s the perfect opportunity to learn from Handre Pollard and Willie le Roux, but also, as I always say, to add your own flavour.”
Giliomee’s ability to operate at fly-half and full-back was a key part of the Bulls’ interest, with Ackermann highlighting the opportunity for him to develop alongside experienced Springboks Handre Pollard and Willie le Roux.
The Bulls began their 2026/27 United Rugby Championship campaign with six points from a two-match tour.
They opened with a dominant seven-try bonus-point win against Zebre in Parma. However, their second fixture ended in a 26-22 defeat by Munster on Saturday, although the Bulls secured a losing bonus point after scoring late in the match.
For the Sharks, the immediate transfer brings an end to Giliomee’s time at the club just as he had begun to establish himself in the side. For the Bulls, it provides an opportunity to add a versatile young player to their squad ahead of the rest of the campaign.