Winger Dylan Maart has explained why he opted to sign with the Bulls from Currie Cup champions Griquas.
Speaking on the Behind the Ruck podcast with former Springboks Juan de Jongh and Rudy Paige, the 30-year-old said he had been weighing up his options, with the Stormers – who he had represented on loan last season – and Griquas both making offers.
Ultimately, though, an unexpected phone call from Bulls coach Johan Ackermann changed everything.
“What was so special about that conversation was that we didn’t even talk about rugby,” Maart said.
“What stood out for me was that he was more interested in me as a person, what makes me happy and things like that. There wasn’t even any talk about money or anything else that comes with the profession.”
Ackermann told Maart that he had watched him play and had connected with the way he approached the game.
“He spoke about my determination and felt he could go to war with me – that I was someone who would fight for my teammates and not just for myself,” Maart said.
That personal connection made a lasting impression. Maart also had a practical reason for choosing Pretoria. While the Stormers had offered him a one-year contract, the Bulls put a two-year deal on the table.
“That sounded a lot better and gave me more security, even though it meant moving 1,000km away from home,” he said.
Maart has enjoyed life at Loftus, impressing with two tries on his first start against the Scarlets in round five of the URC.
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Photo: Anton Geyser/Gallo Images
The post How Ackers won Maart over appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Winger Dylan Maart has explained why he opted to sign with the Bulls from Currie Cup champions Griquas.
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