The 24-year old scrumhalf played a pivotal part in Western Province’s Vodacom Cup campaign this year and has established himself as one of the most promising scrumhalves in South Africa today.

A multi-skilled sportsman, Jinka concentrated more on cricket at school level at Bishops, but made the shift to rugby when he joined Stellenbosch University club, playing for the Western Province under-21 side for the first time in 2006. He also made his Vodacom Cup debut that year.

Jinka then headed to Ireland on a sabattical to play club rugby for two years, returning in 2009 to join Hamiltons, where he was an integral part of the team’s success at the National Club Championships.

He represented Western Province again in this year’s Vodacom Cup and joined up with the Vodacom Blue Bulls for his first official practice session on Tuesday.

Jinka jumped at the opportunity to join the Bulls and believes he can learn much under the Bulls professional structures.

“To put it bluntly they are the best rugby union in the world at the moment and only a fool would decline the opportunity to play for such a professional unit. It is a great opportunity for me and to further my career alongside Fourie du Preez – who is the best scrumhalf in the world – is an opportunity that I just couldn’t let pass me by,” Jinka said.

Blue Bulls coach Frans Ludeke welcomed Jinka to the squad.

“Dustin is a very talented player who has shown his capacity in the Vodacom Cup. We have had our eye on him for a while now and are overjoyed that he could join our rugby family and make his contribution to our continued success,” Ludeke said.

The Vodacom Blue Bulls open their Absa Currie Cup defence against the Pumas at Loftus Versfeld on Friday.