It's been a wonderful day for Ulster Rugby. First, the news that a South African backrow will be coming to fill the large Nick Williams shaped hole up north.
Now though, it's emerged that South African born utility back Louis Ludik has signed a new contract extension for an undisclosed length. This is Ludik's second season in Ulster, and he will become Irish qualified next season.
As good as Ludik is, the maths of this signing doesn't add up. Charles Piutau is inbound into Ulster for next season - and the majority of fans assumed this was to replace Ludik. Having both players in the XV will make Ulster a better team, but to accommodate them then one will have to play on the wing - which is already flushed with the talents of Tommy Bowe, Andrew Trimble, Craig Gilroy, and Rory Scholes.
As well as that, the IRFU rules surrounding non-Irish qualified players were meant to be reduced from four NIQs and a project player last season to three NIQs and a project. With Ludik's new extension, Ulster will have four non Irish qualified players and two projects for next season - Piutau, Pienaar, van der Merwe, another South African as the NIQs, with Ludik and Herbst set to become Irish qualified in 2017.
Either the IRFU are giving special dispensation to Ulster, are relaxing the rules, or one of Pienaar, Piutau, or Herbst won't be at Ulster next season.
As for Ulster's second exciting signing - it almost certainly has to be an Irish player. Which reduces the potential pool of players it could be.
See Also: First 'Exciting' Signing Confirmed As Ulster Snap Up South Africa International
Picture credit: Oliver McVeigh / SPORTSFILE
