The 6th Article in the set discussing the Vodacom Bulls.
In this Article we look at the contenders for FLYHALVES in the Vodacom Bulls 2013 Super Rugby group, and what their worth will be in Super Rugby terms.
The Contenders:
Name: Morné Daniel (Morné) Steyn:
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Morné attended Fichardt Park Laerskool and Fichardt Park Hoërskool in Bloemfontein and made his Provincial debut for the Blue Bulls in 2003.
He was a member of the Bulls teams that won the 2007, 2009 & 2010 Super 14 Competitions. In 2009 he ended the season as the leading point scorer in Super Rugby, setting a record of 4 drop goals in one single match, in the semifinal against the Crusaders.
Steyn has won an Under 21 World Cup, 2 Currie Cups, 3 Super rugby titles, a Series against the British & Irish Lions and 1 Tri-Nations.
He was the most prolific kicker in the game a season or so ago and will be required to again run a much organised backline, combining great tactical kicking with a willingness to attack when the opportunity arise. Now in his ninth season at this level, the extremely fit pivot has already gone over 1200 career Super Rugby points and has amassed 106 cap in Super Rugby, as well as adding to his three Super medals.
Morné will be hoping and working very hard at regaining his masterful form of a couple of seasons ago, his permanent spot at the Springboks is under serious threat from the plethera of youngsters coming through the ranks. The advantage he has over his young peers though, is that he has been there and done it all… in fine fashion.
Records:
- World record for most points scored by a player who has scored all their team’s points (31).
- Most points scored against New Zealand (31) in a single test
- South African record for penalties in a test (8) – beating the seven achieved twice by former fullback and now kicking coach of South Africa, Percy Montgomery.
- All of the above records achieved with his 31 points scored in the Tri Nations 2009 match against the All Blacks in Durban on 1 Aug 09
- South African record for most points in a test against Australia.
- Fastest 100 points by a Springbok (8 Test matches, 3 as replacement)
- Fastest 200 points by a Springbok (16 Test matches)
- Fastest 300 points by a Springbok (24 Test matches)
- Fastest 400 points by a Springbok (33 Test matches)
- Most drop-goals in a Super Rugby season (11 in 2009).
- Most points scored against the All Blacks for a Springbok (31).
- Most points in a Tri Nations match (31).
- Most drop goals in a Super Rugby game (4) (in the 2009 Super 14 semi-final against the Crusaders)
- Most drop goals in Super Rugby (22)
- Most penalties in a Super Rugby Season (51 in 2010)
- Most points in a Super Rugby season (263) – Beating Dan Carter’s record of 221 set in 2006.
- Steyn also holds the record for most consecutive successful kicks at goal in Test play since statistics for that category were first kept in the late 1980s. He had a streak of 41 successful attempts that ended on 6 November 2010 against Ireland. The previous record was 36, held by Chris Paterson of Scotland.
- Biggest points margin in a Super 14 Final (61 – 17 against the Chiefs)
- Biggest win in a Super Rugby match vs the reds (92 – 3)
Morné Steyn is one of those ever-loyal Blue Bulls and has represented the Union from 2003 till now. 2013 Will be his 10th year at the Blue Bulls. People can say what they like about Morné, with aweful nicknames having recently been slung towards him from the jealous and the tardy out there, but he has been extremely loyal, a team man, a match winner and a superstar for the Blue Bulls, the Bulls and the Springboks… how’s that for size?
I have no doubt that there is still plenty rugby left in his dependable bones…. go Morras!
Name: Handré Pollard:
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Handré is the son of one of our registered bloggers here on Rugby-Talk
Handré is a youngster fresh out of High School, with high expectations. He burst onto the rugby scene here in South Africa with his stellar performances for Paarl Gymnasium and the Junior Springboks in their successful capture of the IRB Junior World Championship in 2012.
He has represented Western Province at Under 13 (2007), Under 16 (2010) and Under 18 (2011 & 2012) levels.
How does one decribe such a youngster, who has’nt yet played senior provincial rugby? I suppose one can only use Naas Botha’s old cliche, “If you’re good enough, you’re old enough”
Handré is a player who ticks all the boxes, he has a prodigious boot to touch and to posts, his tactical kicking is masterful, and his attacking worth is just waiting to be properly explored. He attacks the gain line and is not shy to pilfer ball from an opponent on the ground. His option-taking reminds one of the great flyhalves of yesteryear and Heyneke Meyer, Springbok coach, has already had his eye on Handré from Under 16 level.
He might be a year or more younger than Johan Goosen of the Toyota Cheetahs, but there is a lot of similarity in what is expected from him.
The Blue Bulls jumped at the chance to sign young Handré for 2013, who only yesterday received his final matric results.
I guess we will see what he’s made from in 2013, but expectations are high.
Career:
- 2007 – Western Province Under 13 (Under 13 Coca Cola Craven Week)
- 2010 – Western province Under 16 (Coca-Cola Grant Khomo Week)
- 2011 – Western Province Under 18 (Under 18 Coca Cola Craven Week)
- 2012 – Western Province Under 18 (Under 18 Coca-Cola Craven Week), South Africa (IRB Junior World Championships – winner)
Name: Louis Daniel Van Zyl (Louis) Fouché:
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His massive boot might be typical of flyhalves from Pretoria, but Louis Fouché loves playing a running game as well. The youngster showed a lot of courage and temperament in his first year of Currie Cup in 2011 and provided cover for Morné Steyn during a long and taxing year in 2012. Good defence is another plus, but opponents will need to be wary most of his ability to drop goals from 50, 60 meters out.
Career:
- 2007 – Leopards Under 18 (Under 18 Academy Week)
- 2008 – Under 18 Elite Squad (Elite Squads), Leopards Under 18 (Under 18 Coca-Cola Craven Week)
- 2009 – Leopards (ABSA Under 19 Competition), Leopards (ABSA Under 21 Competition)
- 2010 – Leopards (ABSA UNder 21 Competition)
- 2011 – Blue Bulls (Vodacom Cup), Blue Bulls (ABSA Under 21 Competition), Blue Bulls (ABSA Currie Cup)
- 2012 – Bulls (Super Rugby), Blue Bulls (ABSA Currie Cup)
Additional Players:
If the Bulls run into problems they could always also call on the services of Tony Jantjies (brother of Elton Jantjies) who has come through the Blue Bulls Junior ranks, or on Tiaan Schoeman, not that it is envisaged that the Bulls would need more than 3 quality flyhalves during the Super Rugby competition of 2013.
Starters:
Of course Morné Steyn should start! He is one of the current Springbok incumbant flyhalves. One of Handré Pollard or Louis Fouché should be on the bench for Super Rugby.
The next Article in the range will deal with the Bulls Centres.
If Morne gets his mojo back, he is the epitomy of the Bulls pattern. My question is, what use is it to import all the center talent, but then proceed to kick the leather off the ball.
Francois Venter, Small-Smith, Serfontein, and JJ Engelbrecht could all come to their own, with a better distributor. hope Morne, can stand flatter, and prove me wrong!
Hopefully Morné Steyn can have a good season again… worried about the backup though as Louis Fouché only really has a canon boot to rely upon and not that much more.
Hopefully young Pollard comes through the ranks rather quickly… now THERE’s a bright prospect for the future!
@ grootblousmile:
I told you before MOrne is good enough and will get his form back, Pollard I however think is going to come through this year. he is a special talent.
I am also keen to see pollard make the step up. SA rugby will be in great shape with a few flyhalves pushing each other. Goosen, Lambie, Jantjies, Pollard, and who knows maybe guys like Graaff, and van Aswegen might also start stirring the pot.
Pollard is a running / attacking kind of player, much like Stain was when started out.
How long until Pollard becomes a one dimensional kicking only flyhalf?
5 @ Loosehead:
Maybe quite a bit longer than it would take for Johan Goosen to get injured again….
6 @ grootblousmile: Arrogant Bulls supporter hope that a Springbok gets injured. Dik swak!
7 @ Loosehead:
Not hoping for anything, least of all any injuries… just stating the obvious.
Just like you think Pollard might become one-dimentional, I think Goosen might become a perrenial sick-note.
Now which is worse?
@ grootblousmile:
Hehehe Chune hulle Rudi 😆
Rudi the Shaarks are sitting very pretty also with future 10’s, and funnily enough both the Sons of very good Boks of the past
Robert Du Preez jnr is an excellent running 10, kicks well and defends and distributes well, much like his dad. he is also Capt of the Sharks under 19 team, is still 18 so may still play there this year or move into the inder 21’s
Carel du Plessis son has just commenced at the academy after completing Matric, according to reports a very good flyhalf.
Robert Dup Preez’s other sons the twins, are playing their 3rd and final year of Craven week and Sa schools this year. but the twins are 1 lock and 1 flank, again touted as real talents,
Now what of all the other talent coming through at 10 like Pollard, Graaf??? man SA rugby is starting to flourish
10 @ Sharks_forever:
WP bought well too, they bought the youngster from Affies, Ryno Eksteen (I think I’m right with the name from recollection).
Big Flyhalf with all the talents, hard attacker, great defender, very good distributor… and kicks faultlessly to posts.
I’m also excited about SA Rugby, there’s a massive stream of very exciting youngsters coming through and if you look at our SA Schools group as well as the Junior Bokkies who won the IRB World Championships in 2012, then we are blessed in most positions.
Still concerned over SA Tight Head props…. and that’s about the only position which is a worry.
Am hoping for 3 SA sides in the top 6 this year in Super Rugby… Bulls, Sharks & Stormers… same as in 2012.
Hansie SkopGraaff is a very good talent coming through from Cheetahs side as well…. the kid has a head on the shoulders, a thinking man’s rugby player, plays an intelligent AND exciting game.
10 @ Sharks_forever:
Robert du Preez did well after rugby, got involved with Mr Price and became a big shot there… I know my wife, Handbriekie, had numerous dealings with him from the Newspaper side with Mr Price. I suppose he is still with Mr Price, do you know?
Hell, Robert had a lovely long, strong, straight scrumhalf pass when he was with the Blue Bulls, gave so much space and so many options to his Flyhalf… his game went a bit backwards at Natal, to be honest.
Always reminded me very much of Tommy du Plessis with the way he passed and played the game (not in looks though).
@ grootblousmile:
No Rudi his game stayed fine at the Sharks, he was just competing with Joost etc at the time. Just so you know, Robert is also the coach of College Rovers, here is an article after a match where they crushed Crusaders in the Moor Cup
College Rovers hammered Crusaders 59-3 in a one sided Moor cup match last night. With the likes of: Ryan Kankowski, Bismarck and Jannie du Plessis and former springbok assistant coach Dick Muir watching from the stands, Rovers produced an emphatic display to run in ten tries without reply, thereby maintaining their unbeaten start to the season.
There were some scintillating performances from the Rovers players. Jors Dannhauser, Conrad Stolz and Kosie Haaroff all produced man of the match performances. After a sloppy first half by Rovers, they turned up the style in the second half with some superb backline play. The one sided scoreline did not put a damper on Dick Muir’s spirits. He said: “I am always happy to come and take in a game. It’s fantastic to see the likes of Graham Mackenzie and the Springbok players providing the support.”
Muir also said that his son was involved with the Crusaders under -9 team and he hoped that his involvement with the Investec rugby academy would help in developing players at club level in the long term.
Rovers coach Robert du Preez was not happy with his side’s performance. He said: “There is room for improvement and with all due respect to our opponents, the score could have been doubled. Our backline was excellent tonight, we have real quality in there and they are a potent bunch.” Du Preez was pleased though about his team not picking up any injuries and warned against complacency creeping into the side.
There is lots of hard work to be done by the Crusaders team in the weeks ahead but Rovers are looking good at the moment.
Kyle Orr from Hopps (Riverside) was also in attendance. They are sponsoring the man of the match awards to the value of R500 for the Premier Division games. He said: “We are proud to be associated with club rugby. We want to give back to the boys – so what better way than sponsoring the man of the match award.”
HEHEHE hard man to please
Robert du Preez. Managing director mr price home.
So if one looks at it, Robert snr is coaching South Africas top club, Who knows maybe long term he gonna get involved at the Sharks,
13 @ Sharks_forever:
Robert is a year older than me… he is now 49.
He played in 7 Tests for the Bokke, 1992 – 1993,
He played in 7 Currie Cup Finals.
He played 78 games for the Bulls and 66 for the Sharks.
Was big for a scrumhalf… very big in fact, but that was the way the Blue Bulls liked it in that era, to combine with their forwards in a forwards oriented game. Needed to have a great pass, so that the 10-man game could be enforced, with Naas Botha punishing everybody all over the place from those long passes.
His rugby-playing sons are Robert Jnr (Flyhalf), Jean-Luc (Flank) & Daniel (lock)
Rudi botht eh successful Tightheads that played in the Junior World cup for the Bokkies are at the Sharks, the 3rd is Kebbles son who is at the WP, but he was very poor at the WC
Dell and Van Dyk are the TH’s, well Dell ;plays both side
Remember when Kebble started at 3 and got his head shoved up his Naught? Van Dyk came on and we dominated the scrums after that and won the match
@ grootblousmile:
Correct Rudi, I also know Robert Snr did not take shit, he could clean out a bar in a fight.
NOw I know of 2 other players that are at the Sharks academy this past year and were rated extremely high.
One is a Lock koegelenberg, Paarl Gym boy just completed matric, and then a 13 Center from Durban Tyler Fisher,
Tyler was the top try scorer in this past years U19 Comp
All that said? SA rugby is looking good for the future, we need to nurture all this talent coming through.
Other problem is when there is to much?? Europe scores as money talks
18 @ Sharks_forever:
Now what the fark does that have to do with the price of cement or with Bulls flyhalves?
Fark the Sharks Academy man….
@ grootblousmile:
Is jy dronk??
I am answering you re the fact TH’s that you spoke of ffs
eish split personality se gwar 😆
And its easy just delete these posts, don’t let me stop ya 😉
Steyn is the most complete FH in SA at the moment. The debate ends there IMO.
Pollard has potential, but the Naas quote belongs in the amateur era IMO.
You can rest assured that the better teams have already analysed Pollard’s game to the n’th degree.
Like GBS I am worried about strength in depth for the Bulls at 10. Could develop into a problem.
Oh, and stop squabbling please.
As an aside, I read elsewhere that DSTV are going to televise the Lions – Russia game on 19 Jan live. Can anyone confirm?
25 @ Scrumdown:
Seems it is so. The game is listed on Supersport.com as being televised live.
Guess the Lions must be getting a bit of revenue from DSTV for such, so maybe they’ll survive the next 12 months.
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