The Vodacom Bulls named their touring squad to Australasia for matches against the Blues, Crusaders, Reds and Brumbies. All four opponents are previous winners of the Super Rugby title.
The 26 man squad include Vodacom Bulls try scoring ace, Bjorn Basson, although the winger will only joining the squad in a week’s time. Basson injured ankle ligaments last weekend and medical advice suggested that he only travel once the swelling of the injury subsides.
The squad includes one new cap in prop Hencus van Wyk. The former Vodacom Blue Bulls Under-21 player can pack on both sides of the scrum and is match-fit, having played for UP-Tuks in the Varsity Cup.
Vodacom Bulls coach Frans Ludeke is hoping that the late departure of the team to New Zealand will help combat the jet lag before the first match against the Blues, who have won two on the trot under the guidance of new coach John Kirwan.
“They are certainly playing a very enterprising style of rugby and deserved both their very convincing wins. We have been good and bad in our two matches, so the obvious aim would be to eliminate the errors and produce the good spells for longer periods.”
Ludeke acknowledges the importance of the trip, given the poor record of his side in Auckland, Christchurch, Brisbane and Canberra.
“We will have to pick up points on tour if we want to be around at the business end of the competition. It is true that we have poor records at those venues, but this side has shown in the past that they can set new standards and break down barriers.”
The Vodacom Bulls kick-off their tour against the Blues on March 10, a team they have battled against in the past. In the 13 matches played between the two, the Bulls only won four, with one draw, but often lost heavily. In fact, the average score between the sides is 38-25.
Their record against the Crusaders, whom they play on March 16th, is slightly better, with five wins out of 14 and an average score of 33-23 to the Canterbury side.
The Bulls have beaten their March 23rd opponents, the Reds, in Pretoria quite often, but battle in Brisbane. The Bulls won 5 out of 12 encounters and lead the aggregate scoring 25-20.
The Brumbies have beaten the Bulls eight times in 12 matches, but it has been a close affair in recent years as the 31-23 scoreline suggest. This clash is on March 30th.
The Bulls touring squad is: Zane Kirchner, Jürgen Visser, Akona Ndungane, Bjorn Basson, Lionel Mapoe, JJ Engelbrecht, Wynand Olivier, Jan Serfontein, Louis Fouchè, Mornè Steyn, Francois Hougaard, Jano Vermaak, Pierre Spies (Captain), Arno Botha, Jacques Potgieter, Dewald Potgieter, Deon Stegmann, Grant Hattingh, Juandrè Kruger, Flip van der Merwe, Werner Kruger, Frik Kirsten, Mornè Mellett, Hencus van Wyk, Chiliboy Ralepelle, Willie Wepener.
Has Chilliboy’s hearing happened yet?
@ Lion4ever:
Jip, he was cleared yesterday
“The Vodacom Bulls named their touring squad to Australasia for matches against the Blues, Crusaders, Reds and Brumbies. All four opponents are previous winners of the Super Rugby title.”
..
wow, this must be some kind of record. thats the quickest i’ve ever seen anyone managing to get his first excuse into an article!! wow!!
3 @ Ashley:
Hehehehe, Asbak, jou ou pap peester!
gbs @ 4
tawwe toer, boet. dink julle beste kanse gaan teen die aus spanne wees.
The squad includes one new cap in prop Hencus van Wyk. The former Vodacom Blue Bulls Under-21 player can pack on both sides of the scrum and is match-fit, having played for UP-Tuks in the Varsity Cup.
Is this not what is wrong with the Varsity Cup this year?
The Unions are using it as a practice arena for the fringe players. It is mean’t to be played by students, not pro rugby players.
This is not an attack on the Bulls,I think that every Union is doing it.
loosehead @ 6
i think its ONLY the bulls doing it
Tough tour schedule, they could conceivably lose 4/4.
But we have our problems at the moment, so I won’t speak too loudly…..
@ Ashley:
Cutting edge, well spotted Asbakkie
5 @ Ashley:
Sal maar sien wat doen die Bulls…
Blues lyk flippen gevaarlik die seisoen, maar dit kos net 1 span om hulle terug te ruk grond toe… hoop maar dis die Bulls.
Saders sal soos ALTYD ‘n blerrie moeilike proposisie wees.
Dink die Bulls kan die Reds vat en Bulls sal moet flippen goed speel teen die Brumbies.
Hel, enigiets kan gebeur, kan al 4 wen.. of al 4 verloor… of so tussenin resultaat kry.
Daar’s nie moeiliker toere nie, net bly ons kry nie nog ook die Chiefs om weg te speel nie!
Eina, daai skedule lyk pynlik
Kings: 15 SP Marais, 14 Marcello Sampson, 13 Ronnie Cooke, 12 Andries Strauss, 11 Sergeal Petersen, 10 Demetri Catrakilis, 9 Shaun Venter, 8 Jacques Engelbrecht, 7 Wimpie van der Walt, 6 Cornell du Preez, 5 Darron Nell (captain), 4 Steven Sykes, 3 Kevin Buys, 2 Bandise Maku, 1 Schalk Ferreira
Substitutes: 16 Edgar Marutlulle, 17 Jaco Engels, 18 David Bulbring, 19 Luke Watson, 20 Nicolas Vergallo, 21 George Whitehead, 22 Hadleigh Parkes
Nou hoekom in blou laat afneem as hul in pienk gaan speel ?
Die feit dat hul weer gekies het vir pienk is ‘n teken van oorgawe, dalk hier en daar ‘n bonuspunt optel omdat hul ingewillig het om in sagte pienk uit te draf en die pak te vat soos ‘n ….. hmmmmm.
Nou moet ek 5 weke wag voor my span weer speel, sal in tussen maar die BLOU Bulle Vodacom span en Tuks ondersteun.
13 @ ben-die-bul:
Bulls sal teen die Blues in Pienk speel, teen die Saders en Reds in Blou, miskien selfs in blou teen die Brumbies.
Die pienk word mos gedra net sodra die weg-strip se kleure clash.
So, waaroor moan jy?
While a full house of 20 points from the tour will be brilliant it may be a bit tough to achieve, but still think we can at least realistically look forward to returning with at least 12 points from this tour if not more. GO BULLS.
15 @ Bullscot:
That’s the spirit, Bully!
14: ek lees op supersport: Referees this year have worn pink as their outfits thanks to a new sponsor in New Zealand and with the Bulls again deciding to don their pink “away” kit during this year’s tournament, there was a distinct possibility the 16th man would literally become the 16th man in pink.
Daaruit lei ek af dat al hul wegwedstryde oorsee in pienk gespeel gaan word. As dit net teen spanne is wat bots, is dit al heelwat beter, maar elke wedstryd in pienk is een te veel. Bly by die blou.
Ons mag mos elkeen ‘n opinie hê ?
@ Ashley: LMGA!! Ja-ja…
@ ben-die-bul: Agree! The pink looks kak… What’s even more pathetic is that they’ve gone with a zig-zag pattern to “confuse” the opponents? What a load of BS!
I’ve bought every Bulls Super Rugby jersey since 2006 except this zig-zag kak. I for one was extremely excited to see what Puma was going to bring to the table since news broke of their contract with the Bulls, but now I’m really starting to dislike them! Especially this whole pink idea!
Bring back old school!
I see Callie Visagie has returned to the Lions in order to get some game time after being left out of the Bulls touring squad and has been named on the bench for the Lions Vodacom Cup game against the Leopards.
The Lions have named a nearly full strength side for this game.
19 @ xkreniwp:
I mentioned a few days ago that they announced with a great fanfare about the “old school” jersey they were going to use this season, but they’re still using the razzle dazzle, smoke up ur ass lightning bolt design.
Just another BS marketing ploy to get the supporters to spend more money on a jersey that counts for FA?
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