The Vodacom Bulls will be without three of their regulars when they take on the DHL Stormers in their only pre-season match in Polokwane on 1 February.
The Bulls will be missing the likes of Springbok Arno Botha, prop Morne Mellett and lock David Bulbring for the game, after the medical team decided to withdraw them from the clash ahead of a long and tough season that lies ahead.
SuperSport
All three should be fit and ready for the opening clash of the Vodacom Super Rugby season on February 14 against the Sharks, but the medical team has decided to reduce their workload somewhat so that they can recover from their injuries properly.
Arno Botha injured himself in the Springboks’ victory over Italy in June and has struggled to recover, while Mellett (neck / back) and Bulbring (shoulder) are withdrawn currently from training to ensure they continue their recovery as scheduled.
Coach Frans Ludeke said that at this stage, he should have a 100% fit squad to choose from for the opening Super Rugby fixture.
The Bulls lost a number of top players after losing in the semifinals of last year’s competition, but will get the likes of captain Pierre Spies, Botha, flank Deon Stegmann, halfback Francois Hougaard and flyhalf Louis Fouche back after all were on the injured list for the Currie Cup season.
In addition to this, the Bulls have recruited Piet van Zyl from the Cheetahs and still have Boks JJ Engelbrecht, Bjorn Basson, Jan Serfontein, Akona Ndungane and Flip van der Merwe to call on.
Add to this the impending return of Victor Matfield to the side after a two year absence and barring injuries, the Bulls should be able to put a strong starting XV on the field for the start of the season.
Hell, would have been good if Arno Botha & Morné Mellet could have put a game in, seeing as the Bulls have opted for only 1 warm-up match in the pre-season.
By the way, this was already the 180th Article here on Rugby-Talk for the month of January alone!
Certainly not a shortage of rugby news now flowing all over the show, almost feels like we are IN season already.
Rugby-Talk has maintained an average of 160 new articles per month since it’s inception in August 2009, the latter years obviously a bit busier than the early days.
We strive to keep the news fresh and relevant, this is after all a rugby news and discussion website! Content has to be fresh and plentyful, for this site to be a One-Stop rugby haven… we’ll continue to do just like we have been doing.
I see that J-LP has been signed by the Bulls again.
3 @ Loosehead:
Phweeeew… Jacques-Louis Potgieter….. eish!
So now we have 3 ordinary flyhalves, one with massive Super Rugby experience, one with lots of Super Rugby bench experience and one youngster who intends to get lots of Super Rugby experience…
Could have been worse, had they signed die kameelperd (Burton Francis) or some other wannabe…
J-LP is an excellent 10. Go back and watch him playing for the VRYSTAAAAAAAAAAAT.
When he wins games for the Bulls, I will be sending you my booze bill.
5 @ Loosehead:
Why, so I can see what cheap shit you drink?
6 @ grootblousmile:6 This from the Peregigo and condensed milk drinking king? Fukken Bulls supporters.
7 @ Loosehead:
Hey, I drink for pleasure, not for effect!
… and it’s Jerepico… not Peregigo!
Condensed Milk is what makes me so virile and full of energy!
I ate a tin of Caramel just today!
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