Captain Ruan Nortje will run out for his 150th Bulls appearance next weekend, anchoring a high-stakes URC quarter-final before heading to Japan. The Bulls’ popular captain is set to play his 150th match for the franchise in next week’s United Rugby Championship quarter-final against Munster at Loftus Versfeld — adding an immense extra layer of motivation for the home team.
Nortje is nearing the end of his illustrious career in Pretoria, as the 27-year-old is set to continue his rugby journey in Japan next season. A Bulls man through and through, Nortje has only ever worn the blue jersey since leaving school and sits 24th on the prestigious list of most-capped Bulls players in history.
Ruan Nortje Career Highlights
Nortje made his senior debut for the Bulls in 2018. Four years later, his consistent provincial performances were rewarded with the first of his 18 Springbok caps — underlining his meteoric rise as one of South Africa’s premier locks.
According to the United Rugby Championship website, the competition has seen a significant increase in popularity over the years, with more teams participating and a growing fan base. For Nortje, the opportunity to play in this competition has been a dream come true.
Message to Young Rugby Players
“For me, it was a little boy’s dream come true to represent the Bulls,” Nortje said recently. “I’d have been happy with just one appearance and never imagined in my wildest dreams I’d get to 150 matches. I’ve been incredibly grateful and have been blessed not to suffer many injuries.
Here are some key takeaways from Nortje’s career:
- Self-belief is key to success
- Hard work and dedication are essential
- Never give up on your dreams
Nortje noted that his primary message to the next generation of aspiring rugby players is to value self-belief above all else. “The biggest thing I’ve taken from this journey is you have to back yourself,” Nortje said.
