Bulls sign Kwagga Smith to three-year deal

The Bulls have signed Springbok loose forward Kwagga Smith to a three-year contract, bringing the 33-year-old back to South Africa after eight seasons in Japan. The club announced the deal on October 25, with Smith expected to join as he continues recovering from a serious knee injury. Smith tore the anterior cruciate ligament and meniscus in May 2026 while playing for the Shizuoka Blue Revs, according to reports. The injury sidelined him for the remainder of the season. Reports say he has been cleared for full-contact action by late December, while Smith said he expected to return early in 2027. Neither milestone confirms that he has resumed playing. Smith said he was jogging and felt good during his recovery. He also said his wife was due to give birth in January and described the timing of the move as ideal. The Bulls have not announced a debut date. The signing reunites Smith with coach Johan Ackermann, who previously coached him at the Lions. Ackermann said he was pleased to work with him again and praised his contribution as a team player. Bulls chief executive Edgar Rathbone described Smith as a proven winner and said his work rate and physicality would strengthen the...