The Lions have confirmed that Bulls lock Marvin Orie will join the franchise ahead of the 2017 Super Rugby season.

The Lions showed interest in Orie two years ago, but the 23-year-old was convinced to extend his contract with the Bulls.

However, Orie has been struggling to get game time and looks set to fall even further behind in the pecking order after the Bulls secured the services of Springbok lock Lood de Jager from the Cheetahs. 

Another lock, PJ Steenkamp, who is in Grade 12 at Hoërskool Garsfontein and played for the SA Schools A side, was also snapped up by the Lions and will make the move after matriculating.

'We had to fight hard in 2014 to try and keep Marvin in Pretoria and he was always honest with us and told us if he feels he does not get enough game time in Pretoria that he may decide to make the move,' said Bulls high performance manager Xander Janse van Rensburg.

'With the signing of Lood de Jager, as well as the form of RG Snyman and Jason Jenkins and some of our other exciting locks in the system at the moment, we wish Marvin well in his future at the Lions and want to thank him for his loyalty and service over the past five years.'

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