Injuries and rotation played a major role in Vodacom Bulls coach Frans Ludeke’s call to name an almost new side for Saturday’s Vodacom Super Rugby clash against the Reds in Brisbane.
An unsatisfactory loss to the Crusaders last weekend also resulted in at least four players being ruled out of the remainder of the tour and only six players who started in Christchurch will do so again this weekend.
Fullback Zane Kirchner, outside centre JJ Engelbrecht, halfback Jano Vermaak, no 8 and captain Pierre Spies, flanker Deon Stegmann and loose head prop Mornè Mellett are all in the run-on side again.
The return to fitness of Lionel Mapoe and Bjorn Basson will see both try-scoring aces on the wing, while Francois Venter will replace injured Wynand Olivier at inside centre.
Flyhalf Louis Fouchè will also earn a first start in Super Rugby, but the strappy pivot will be playing in his 15th match at this level.
Record-breaking flyhalf and the most experienced player in the side, Mornè Steyn will play off the bench for the first time in a couple of seasons.
Up front, the fit-again Dewald Potgieter takes over from Arno Botha at seven, while a new lock combination in Grant Hattingh and Paul Willemse will start for the first time in their Vodacom Bulls careers. Both have started for the MTN Lions last year.
Regular starter Juandrè Kruger will play off the bench and Flip van der Merwe is injured.
Springbok front row players Chiliboy Ralepelle and Werner Kruger also returns to the starting team ahead of Willie Wepener and Frik Kirsten.
On the bench, Ruan Snyman replaces the injured Francois Hougaard. Snyman’s only start for the Bulls was in 2010.
The team (with Super Rugby caps) is:
15 Zane Kirchner (75)
14 Lionel Mapoe (31)
13 JJ Engelbrecht (20)
12 Francois Venter (9)
11 Bjorn Basson (44)
10 Louis Fouché (14)
9 Jano Vermaak (92)
8 Pierre Spies (93, Captain)
7 Dewald Potgieter (55)
6 Deon Stegmann (63)
5 Grant Hattingh (13)
4 Paul Willemse (1)
3 Werner Kruger (79)
2 Chiliboy Ralepelle (56)
1 Morné Mellett (4)
Replacements:
16 Willie Wepener (57)
17 Frik Kirsten (19)
18 Juandrè Kruger (21)
19 Jacques Potgieter (16)
20 Ruan Snyman (1)
21 Morné Steyn (110)
22 Jan Serfontein (2)
Milestones:
- Louis Fouchè, Grant Hattingh and Paul Willemse will all make their run-on debut for the Vodacom Bulls.
- Mornè Steyn could extend his point scoring record of 1269 points (12 tries, 216 conversions, 235 penalties, 24 drop goals) if he takes to the field.
Comment # 53 on the VB site
Stadig oor die klippertjies, manne en dames in Blou! Wat my betref is daar net twee vreemde verskynsels in die keuse van hierdie span. Dit is die feit dat Arno Botha gladnie in die groep van 22 is nie en die feit dat hulle aanhou om JJ Engelbrech op 13 te kies.
Feit is dat Frans Ludeke van die begin van die seisoen af baie duidelik gesê het dat spelers vanjaar baie meer geroteer gaan word omdat hulle moes erken dat sommige manne verlede jaar oorspee is. Nou vra ek julle, as jy die vier toerwedstryde gaan ontleed, in watter wedstryd moes Frans die tweede-keuse manne kans gegee het? Blues? Crusaders? Brumbies? Of dalk die span wat ‘n week gelede nog teen die Force verloor het?
Louis Fouché het die afgelope Saterdag teen die Crusaders sy beste halfuur ooit in ‘n Bloubul/Bulls-trui gehad. Hy het soos ‘n tier verdedig, ‘n paar puik lynskoppe ingekry en selfs die lyn een of twee keer goed weggestuur. Hoekom hou julle aan om hom te beoordeel op sy vertonings van ses maande gelede? As Morné weer elke wedstryd speel en dalk teen Meimaand weer begin sukkel, gaan almal weer raas dat hy oorspeel is! Noudat hy ruskans kry, is Frans Ludeke ‘n idioot! Vreemde wêreld, né?
Wat die gekerm oor die slotte betref, Juandré moet een of ander tyd rus en Flip is beseer. So wat is die probleem? Willemse en Hattingh het puik gekombineer in die wedstryd teen die Lions in Soweto op 2 Februarie vanjaar. Almal wou intussen vir Willemse afskryf na net een swak wedstryd vir Tuks, sonder om in ag te neem dat Tuks duidelik nie ‘n gelukkige familie is op die oomblik nie en dat Willemse net gekies is omdat Nollis Marais se Blue-Eye Boy, Mike Williams, beseer was!
Hierdie twee slotte (Willemse en Hattingh) kan binne twee seisoene saam vir die Bokke speel, sóveel potensiaal het hulle. Hulle is die perfekte kombinasie!
En laastens, almal wat kerm oor Swys op 12 en Jan op die bank, gaan kyk weer na Saterdag se game teen die Crusaders. Waar Louis Fouché sy kans gebruik het en konstruktiewe spel gelewer het, het Jan soos ‘n dronk hoender rondgehol en die een laagvat na die ander gemis — duidleik uit sy diepte uit. Venter, daarenteen, moes van die begin af op toer gewees het. Hy het meer ervaring as Serfontein en dit sal ‘n groot kans wees om te vat as jy Fouche en Serfontein op dié vlak sommer so gou in die diep water langs mekaar wil ingooi.
Kry perspektief manne! Met hierdie span is Ludeke juis konsekwent ten opsigte van sy beloftes wat hy aan die begin van die seisoen gemaak het. Die SuperRugby reeks is ‘n marathon, nie ‘n naelloop nie. Ek dink ons bestuurspan is op koers (met enkele klein verskille van my eie mening) na sukses teen die tyd van die uitspeelrondtes!
Posted by Houtoog on 20 March 2013 13:39
It’s a testament to the depth of this squad that they are able to do this and still have a squad that will be very competitive come match day.
Reds
1. Greg Holmes2. James Hanson3. James Slipper4. Ed O’Donoghue5. James Horwill (c)6. Eddie Quirk7. Jarrad Butler*8. Jake Schatz9. Will Genia (vc)10. Quade Cooper11. Digby Ioane12. Ben Tapuai13. Anthony Faingaa14. Chris Feauai-Sautia15. Jono LanceReplacements:16. Saia Faingaa17. Albert Anae18. Rob Simmons19. Curtis Browning20. Nigel Ah Wong21. Nick Frisby22. Mike Harris
Die hele span kan soos wetters speel, maar Britney Spies sal altyd sy plek hou. As die Bulle ‘n hardebaard op 8 laat speel sal hulle ongetwyfeld verbeter.
Of dalk moet hulle jou gunsteling coach, Jake White, aanstel eh gbs…
This is still a very good Bulls side and they can beat the Reds with these players. Reds have been hopeless of late.
Go Bulls.
Fouche at 10? Pfffffffffffffft!!
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