Former Vodacom Bulls captain Burger Odendaal has admitted his unexpected departure from the union hit him hard.
It was confirmed on Monday that the Bulls and Odendaal had parted by mutual consent and that the centre had signed on to play for the Lions.
Unanticipated player exits have become somewhat of a trend at the Bulls since Josh Strauss, Rosko Specman, Jaco Visagie, Warrick Gelant, and now Odendaal, have all left Loftus.
But for Odendaal, in particular, the move away from Loftus felt like rejection because he was the Vodacom Super Rugby team captain and had also just recently signed a two-contract extension.
READ: ‘Odendaal poured himself into Bulls family’
Speaking to Netwerk24.com, Odendaal admitted he was set to stay at the Bulls before finding out they didn’t want him anymore after being deemed surplus to requirements.
‘I recently extended my contract but after the change in management I was informed I wasn’t part of the team’s plans going forward,’ Odendaal told Netwerk24.
‘It came as a shock and I didn’t take it well; it wasn’t a nice feeling. But I bear no grudges against the Bulls,’ he explained.
Commenting on his move to the Lions, Odendaal said: ‘I’m relieved that my transfer was completed successfully so that I can put the uncertainty of the last couple of weeks behind me and move forward.
‘It’s nice to be part of the new structures at the Lions. To be honest, I hadn’t enjoyed my last couple of weeks at the Bulls.’
Photo: Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix
