Wolhuter loan shocks Jukskei Derby build-up as Lions lose flyhalf to Bulls

The build-up to Saturday’s Jukskei Derby between the Lions and Bulls has taken a surprise twist, with Lions flyhalf Kade Wolhuter joining the Bulls on loan until the end of June next year.

Wolhuter, 24, emerged through the Western Province system and has been with the Lions since October 2023, but his career has been blighted by a series of injuries that have limited his playing time and impact at the Joburg franchise.

He had dropped further down the pecking order after the arrival of Chris Smith, who has made the No 10 jersey his own, with dynamic utility back Lubabalo Dobela and Gianni Lombard also ahead of the pivot. He has not feature in any of the Lions’ five United Rugby Championship (URC) matches so far this season, last seeing action in the recent Currie Cup camapign.

With the move north, he will add to the Bulls’ flyhalf stocks that include Springboks Handré Pollard and Johan Goosen, as well as Keagan Johannes and Jaco van der Walt.

Wolhuter, a former Paul Roos schoolboy prodigy who also spent time at Montpellier in France as a junior, passed his medicals at Loftus last week. 

“My ambition is to get onto the pitch and start contributing, after which I’d like to have a proper tenure at the union,” Wolhuter said.  

Vodacom Bulls CEO Edgar Rathbone praised him as a “talented young player with a proven track record at age-group and professional level whose attitude will add real value during a critical period”.

While the Lions may feel that they have adequate resources to cope with losing the flyhalf, they are stretched thin in the inside-centre channel, with Bronson Mills sidelined following a recent off-field indiscretion.

Much of the creative burden in midfield now falls heavily on Henco van Wyk at outside-centre, with coach Ivan van Rooyen forced to turn to winger Richard Kriel to fill the void on the inside in the early stage of this year’s URC. The experiment has not been a resounding success, with Kriel making way for Mills in the 49-31 victory at home against Ulster. 

Rynhardt Jonker last featured off the bench against Zebre in Week 2 of the URC, while Manuel Rass is more comfortable at outside centre.

The centre channel could be one area the Bulls side will look to exploit in Saturday’s derby match at Loftus as the URC resumes with Week 6. The Bulls are currently in sixth place on the log table with 14 points, with the Lions are in eighth place with 11 points. Kick-off at Loftus on Saturday is at 2pm.