Springbok hooker Akker van der Merwe has reportedly signed with the Vodacom Bulls following his release from his contract with English Premiership club Sale Sharks.

Although the Bulls have not officially announced his signing, an official told Agence France-Presse that Van der Merwe is joining the franchise after former Bok hooker Bismarck du Plessis retired this month.

Van der Merwe, who in a statement yesterday cited personal reasons for his Sale exit, will compete for the No two jersey with Johan Grobbelaar and Jan-Hendrik Wessels at the Pretoria outfit.

Also read: Bok hooker leaves Sharks

Previous reports have linked Van der Merwe with a return to his former team, the Lions, in a bid to strengthen their depth at hooker while also boosting his chances of a Bok recall.