In one of the worst kept secrets of the year, the Vodacom Bulls have signed World Rugby’s Player of the year Malcolm Marx for the next three seasons.
Marx will return from Japan at the end of the season and join the Pretoria side, reuniting with his long-time coach Johan Ackermann, where he made his first class debut for the Lions several years ago.
The signing of the double World Cup winner comes a week after another double World Cup winners signed with the Bulls in Kwagga Smith, as the side look to bolster their resources in the United Rugby Championship and beyond.
𝗪𝗘𝗟𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗘 𝗧𝗢 𝗟𝗢𝗙𝗧𝗨𝗦, 𝗠𝗔𝗟𝗖𝗢𝗟𝗠! 💙🔥 The World Rugby Player of the Year is a VODACOM BULLS player! The Vodacom Bulls are proud to announce the signing of Springbok hooker Malcolm Marx. 2x World Cup Winner. 94 Springbok Caps. The best hooker in the world. Now in Blue. Read more https://t.co/XeBJWQr3nm
— Official Blue Bulls (@BlueBullsRugby) November 5, 2026
Marx is now 32, and it is very likely he will end his career at the Bulls, and look to add to his 94 test caps and 29 test tries - the most by any forward in Springbok history.
“I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to join such a historic and respected club as the Vodacom Bulls next season,” said Marx.
“It is an exciting new chapter for me, and I look forward to reconnecting and working alongside former teammates and coaches. I am eager to contribute wherever I can, bring and play my part in helping the Bulls achieve their goals and ambitions. I look forward to the journey ahead and to being part of this special club.”
Ackermann is excited to reunite with his former protege. “I’m humbled that a player of his quality sees our union as the place he wants to play his rugby. I first met him with his mom as a 16-year-old at KES. I just saw this broad-shouldered, big man, but obviously the proof was in the pudding.”
The coach said Marx didn’t spend long in the U-20s before moving into the senior squad. He recalled predicting the youngster could make an impact like Bismarck du Plessis - which earned him media flak - but was soon on the money.
“He’s one of the hardest workers I coached, someone with great integrity too. He excelled and has stayed humble, always putting his team first. I have so much respect for him, grateful that his rugby journey has come full circle with me. I am most proud of the man and the person and the husband and son he is for his family.”
Edgar Rathbone, CEO of the Blue Bulls Company, said: “Malcolm is one of the best players in the world, and he has been a hero to many South Africans. To bring a player of his quality to the Vodacom Bulls is a huge moment for our supporters and for rugby in the region.
“He is a winner, a proud South African and a man whose standards will lift everyone around him. This shows our ambition clearly: we are building a squad capable of winning trophies, and Malcolm’s signing says it loud and clear.”
The Bulls now have four Springbok hookers on their books in Marx, Jan-Hendrik Wessels (his understudy at the Boks currently), Johan Grobbelaar and Akker van der Merwe. A fifth Springbok - Marco van Staden - doubles up as cover for hooker at the national side at the moment.