As expected, the Bulls have named their strongest possible team to take on the Hurricanes on Friday at 19:10 at Loftus. Deon Stegmann returns to be the starting No 6 (openside flanker) and Derick Kuün reverts back to the bench.

Media Release by the Bulls:

Deon Stegmann returns to the Vodacom Bulls pack for their Vodacom Super 14 match against the Hurricanes at Loftus Versfeld on Friday night.

The Cradock-born player is the only change to the side that outclassed the Highlanders last week and swop places with Derick Kuün, who reverts back to the bench.

Bulls captain, Victor Matfield, who celebrated his 50th match as captain last weekend, will play in his 100th Super Rugby game, 91 of them for the Bulls.

He played for the Cats eight times early in his career.

“We don’t play for caps, we play to win trophies,” Matfield said of his pending achievement.

“Of course it is nice for me, but the bigger picture is what the Bulls must do to stay undefeated. All the teams are improving week by week, so we need to improve as well.”

Coach Frans Ludeke indicated that Bees Roux might be fit to play off the bench.

Roux suffered a gash to the head last week and was pulled out of the Highlanders clash and replaced by Rossouw de Klerk, who made his Super 14 debut in the process.

“We will have a look how he shapes up during the scrumming session. If he is OK, he will take his place. If not, Rossouw will slot in again,” Ludeke said.

The team (with caps) is: Zane Kirchner (30), Gerhard van den Heever (8), Stephan Dippenaar (6), Wynand Olivier (61), Francois Hougaard (7), Morné Steyn (63), Fourie du Preez (89), Pierre Spies (46), Dewald Potgieter (21), Deon Stegmann (29), Victor Matfield (99, c), Danie Rossouw, (92) Werner Kruger (32), Gary Botha (63), Gurthrö Steenkamp (56).

Replacements: Bandise Maku (12), Bees Roux (18)/Rossouw de Klerk (1), Flip van der Merwe (10), Derick Kuün (46), Jacques-Louis Potgieter (22), Jaco van der Westhuyzen (48), Pedrie Wannenburg (102).

In related news, Heinie Adams sustained a broken rib in the Vodacom Cup match between the Blue Bulls and the Lions. Accordingly he will not be able to join the Bulls on tour after this weekend’s fixture against the Hurricanes. 

Adams is out for four weeks and not available for the tour matches against the Western Force, Blues, Chiefs and Reds.

Ironically Adams sustained the injury for the Vodacom Cup side where he was picked to get some playing time ahead of the tour.

“Heini’s injury comes at a bad time, as he is a class player,” coach Frans Ludeke lamented.

“We still have two Springbok scrumhalves in Fourie du Preez and Francois Hougaard, but Heini added something extra,” Ludeke said.

Ludeke will decide on Monday whether Adams will be replaced for the tour. The Bulls leave for Perth on Tuesday evening.

My personable opinion about team selection:

I would have played Flip van der Merwe in the place of Danie Rossow, with Danie on the bench, simply because Flip has been so strong in the first 3 matches of the season. Somehow he has fit in better in the “Bakkies” mould than Danie.

On the defensive front, the 3 Bulls players who have been suspect in defence, Stephan Dippenaar (No 13), Francois Hougaard (No 11) and Gerhard van den Heever (No 14) have been retained. I have no issue with the attacking prowess of the 2 wingers and I certainly would not change them in the squad but I would have a few words with them every day regarding their defence and they would be doing serious work on defence this week.

Because of the defensive frailties shown, I would have played Jacques-Louis Potgieter on inside centre all week, with Wynand Olivier moving one position out to outside centre, to replace Stephan Dippenaar, Dippenaar to be moved to the bench. One can argue every which way but should Potgieter and Olivier be the centres, there should be a more solid defensive line. The other reason why I would move Wynand Olivier one position out would be to bolster defence around the wing channels, in other words he would be one position wider to help cover on the wings.

The fact is, I’m not the coach and this is not the selections done, so I have to live with the chosen selections and hope the team as a whole has beefed up defences.

Go Bulls, continue your unbeaten run!