Marnitz Boshoff one of 8 players committing to Bulls

Former Springbok flyhalf Marnitz Boshoff has joined the Blue Bulls on a two-year deal, the Blue Bulls Company (Pty) Ltd confirmed on Wednesday.

The Bulls have also confirmed the extension of contracts of a number of leading players in their ranks.

Boshoff was recently released from his contract with Irish province Connacht on humanity reasons on his wish to return to South Africa following the death of his father.

He now joins the Blue Bulls and will return to Pretoria, where he played most of his junior career, until 2019. Boshoff will be available for the Blue Bulls with immediate effect.

Another new face at training is former Golden Lions loose forward, Jano Venter. The no8, who also signed a two-year deal, was a stand-standout player for the Gauteng side during the recent SuperSport Rugby Challenge.

Former Springbok Sevens World Series winner and Olympic Rugby Sevens bronze medallist, Tim Agaba, is another new face at Loftus Versfeld and has joined the squad having recovered from an ankle injury.

The High-Performance Manager at the BBC, Xander Janse van Rensburg also confirmed the extension of contracts of a number of high profile players.

Current Springbok squad member, Lizo Gqoboka and South Africa A lock, Jason Jenkins, both extended their contracts till 2019, while highly rated scrumhalf Andre Warner and wing Duncan Matthews also extended their Loftus Versfeld stay. Warner signed till 2019 and Matthews till 2020.

Current Junior Springbok prop, Gerhard Steenekamp, also opted for two more years in Pretoria.

Summary of new contracts: Marnitz Boshoff (Connacht; flyhalf/fullback) till 2019; Jano Venter (Golden Lions; no8, flank) till 2019; Tim Agaba (Springbok Sevens, no 8, loose forward) 2019.

Extensions: Lizo Gqoboka, Jason Jenkins, Andre Warner, Gerhard Steenekamp (all 2019), Duncan Matthews (2020).