The Bulls have filled the gap left by departing Springbok legend Fourie du Preez by signing Lions scrumhalf Jano Vermaak on a deal that will keep him at Loftus Versfeld until October 2013.

Vermaak, who represented South Africa at schools, Sevens and age-group level, will join the Bulls in 2012 in time for the Super Rugby campaign and will fight over Du Preez's No.9 jersey with Francois Hougaard.

The 26-year-old Vermaak, who has played for the Golden Lions and Lions since signing on as a junior in 2004, said that the decision to move north was an easy one as he needed fresh challenges.

"I felt it was time to make a change. I was with the Lions for a long time and when this offer came along, I knew it the right one at the right time for the right team," the dynamic scrumhalf said.

Responding to the news, the CEO of the Blue Bulls Company, Barend van Graan, said that Vermaak's signature is another exciting step in their efforts to keep the Bulls on top of the Super Rugby pile.

"Jano is world class and will fit in nicely with our Bulls culture as he lives in Pretoria already. We are looking forward to the contributions he will make," Van Graan said.

Vermaak is the latest in a number of signings the Bulls have made this year as they attempt to replace the group of senior players that brought them unprecendented success in recent years.