Bulls confirm short-term deal with England lock: 'It's going to be a fantastic experience'

• England and Bath lock Charlie Ewels will join the Bulls for a short stint.
• He will return to his England club in time for the 2023/24 season.
• Ewels boasts 30 Test caps for England and has played over 100 games for Bath.

The Bulls have boosted their lock stocks with the signing of England international Charlie Ewels.

Ewels has signed a short-term deal with the Pretoria franchise until the end of the season. After that, he will return to his English club Bath. 

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Ewels suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury during England's tour of Australia last June and is looking to regain his fitness.

Bath also confirmed Ewels' move to South Africa but said he would return to England in time for the 2023/24 season.

"Charlie is an extremely professional and diligent member of our squad," Bath's head of rugby Johann van Graan said in a statement on their website.

"His attitude to his rehabilitation has been exemplary and the next step of his journey is getting back to playing competitive rugby. We feel the Bulls environment will benefit his game and it will be like having a new signing when he returns to the club in the summer." 

Ewels said he was looking forward to a "really exciting opportunity to be experiencing a new country and different competition".

It's expected that Ewels will mainly play for the Bulls in the Currie Cup.

"I'm extremely grateful for the support I've received from everyone here at Bath whilst I've been injured, particularly the medical and S&C (strength and conditioning) departments.  

"I haven't played any rugby since June 2022 so to be able to gain some minutes with an unbelievable franchise like the Bulls is going to be a fantastic experience. I want to soak up as much as I can whilst I'm in Pretoria before returning to Bath.

"It hasn't been easy this season not being able to contribute on the field, but I genuinely believe there is an exciting journey ahead of us and I'm committed to being a part of that."

Ewels boasts 30 Test caps for England and has played over 100 games for Bath.