Springbok loose forward Arno Botha has extended his contract with the Vodacom Blue Bulls until the end of 2017.

Botha, who was recently ruled out of the first month of Currie Cup action as the result of a knee strain, headlines a number of contract extensions announced by the Bulls on Wednesday.

The Bulls’ high performance manager Xander Janse van Rensburg also confirmed the signing of Saracens flanker Nick de Jager.

‘De Jager has signed a contract until the end of Super Rugby next year. We are also delighted at the list of youngsters that have opted to further their careers at Loftus. Jaco Visagie, Janus Kirsten and Nqoba Mxoli all showed their true worth [in a Currie Cup warm-up game] against the Canon Eagles in Japan, and will certainly add tremendous value to our structures going forward.

‘Matthys Basson, Duncan Matthews and Kobus Marais have also shown an amazing temperament and hunger to take the next step into senior rugby,’ Van Rensburg added.

Bulls contract extensions: Arno Botha (October 2017), Jaco Visagie (October 2017), Janus Kirsten (October 2017), Matthys Basson (October 2017), Nqoba Mxoli (October 2017), Duncan Matthews (October 2018), Kobus Marais (October 2016)

Photo: Lee Warren/Gallo Images