Bulls' David Kriel Joins La Rochelle in Top 14

David Kriel, the versatile utility back for the Vodacom Bulls, has signed a contract to join French Top 14 club La Rochelle starting in July, marking the end of his six-season tenure with the Pretoria-based team.

The 27-year-old, who debuted for the Bulls in October 2020 during a Super Rugby Unlocked match against Griquas on the left wing, has become a mainstay in the backline. Over 142 appearances, Kriel demonstrated exceptional adaptability, playing fullback 41 times, outside centre 36 times, inside centre 30 times, and on the wings 26 times, while also contributing from the bench on 10 occasions. His scoring record includes 53 tries, 16 conversions, and eight penalties, totaling 321 points. This places him ninth on the Bulls' all-time try-scoring list, ahead of figures like Bryan Habana, Kurt-Lee Arendse, and Canan Moodie, and 25th on the all-time points list. Among current squad members, only Embrose Papier, Ruan Nortje, and Johan Grobbelaar have more caps.

Kriel, a two-time Currie Cup champion with the Bulls, expressed enthusiasm for the move while acknowledging the emotional farewell. "I couldn't be more excited to be heading there to learn French culture, to meet new...