Jan Serfontein
Handré Pollard
Marcel van der Merwe
The Blue Bulls Company (Pty) Ltd confirmed that three incumbent Springboks, Jan Serfontein, Handre Pollard and Marcel van der Merwe extended their commitments to the Vodacom Bulls and Vodacom Blue Bulls.
Serfontein (2017), Van der Merwe (2016) and Pollard (2017) all confirmed or extended their contracts with the BBC.
Van der Merwe made his international debut for the Springboks against Scotland last weekend and according to the Manager: High Performance at the BBC, Xander Janse van Rensburg, a true reflection of the abilities of the prop.
“Marcel has a long and promising career on the highest level ahead of him and we are pretty pleased that he will be playing that in a Vodacom Bulls and Vodacom Blue Bulls jersey.”
Pollard started in his debut test match as well, a week after being named IRB Junior Player of the Year in New Zealand. Pollard captained the Junior Springboks at the Junior World Championship in New Zealand and also become the top points’ scorer of all time in the JWC competition at the event, where South Africa lost to England in the final.
Serfontein, also an IRB Junior Player of the Year winner in 2012, started at centre in the recent Castle Lager Incoming Series against Wales and Scotland.
He made his test debut in 2013 as a 20 year old and has played in 12 tests, scoring one try.
“Jan and Handrè have all the attributes to become legendary Springboks and there is little doubt that they will be very influential players for the Vodacom Bulls and Vodacom Blue Bulls for many years to come,” Janse van Rensburg said.
“Both committed to the Bulls as school boys already and it is fantastic to know they want to stay on, share and contribute to our vision of being the top team in the Vodacom Super Rugby and Absa Currie Cup competitions. Their loyalty and commitment to the Bulls are a fine example to others.”
Janse van Rensburg also confirmed a number of players that confirmed or extended their contracts, amongst them a big group of 2014 Junior Springboks.
“The Under-20’s impressed everyone with their performances in New Zealand this year and it is great to see how many of the stars in that team has committed themselves to continue their careers with us.
The following players confirmed and extended their contracts:
- Vodacom Bulls: Marcel van der Merwe (2016), Handre Pollard (2017), Jan Serfontein (2017)
- Vodacom Blue Bulls: Neethling Fouche (2016), Clyde Davids (2017), Burger Odendaal (2016), Kefentse Mahlo (2015), Jade Stighling (2015)
- 2014 Junior Springboks: Corniel Els (2016), Dayan van der Westhuizen (2015), Abongile Nonkontwana (2015), Nqoba Mxoli (2015), Nicholaas Janse van Rensburg (2016), JP Smith (2015), Warrick Gelant (2016), Jesse Kriel (2015), Daniel Kriel (2015), Pierre Schoeman (2016), Arno van Wyk (2015).
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Die Blou Bulle Maatskappy (Edms) Bpk het bevestig dat drie huidige Springbokke, Jan Serfontein, Marcel van der Merwe en Handrè Pollard, hul loopbane by die Vodacom Bulls voortsit.
Serfontein (2017), Van der Merwe (2016) en Pollard (2017) het kontrakte met die BBM bevestig of verleng.
Van der Merwe het afgelope Saterdag sy debuut vir die Springbokke gemaak en volgens die BBM se Bestuurder: Hoë Prestasie, Xander Janse van Rensburg, is diè onderskeiding ‘n goeie aanduiding van die waarde van die voorryman.
“Marcel het beslis ‘n lang en belowende loopbaan op die hoogste vlak wat voorlê en ons is baie tevrede dat hy daardie talente in die volgende paar jaar vir die Vodacom Bulls en Vodacom Blou Bulle kan uitstal.”
Pollard het dieselfde toets op losskakel begin, ‘n week nadat hy in Nieu-Seeland as die Internaionale Rugbyraad se Junior Rugbyspeler van die Jaar bekroon is. Hy het die Junior Springbokke daar aangevoer, waar die span in die finaal teen Engeland gespeel het. Hy is ook die voorste puntemaker in die geskiedenis van die IRB se Junior Wêreldbekerkampioenskap.
Serfontein, self die IRB se Junior Speler in 2012, het in die afgelope Castle Lager toetsreeks teen Skotland en Wallis op binnesenter uitgedraf.
Hy het in 2013 as 20-jarige sy debuut vir die Springbokke gemaak en het reeds 12 toetse gespeel en een toetsdrie gedruk.
“Jan en Handrè het al die vaardighede om groot Springbokke te word en daar is min twyfel dat hulle uiters invloedryke spelers vir die Vodacom Bulls en Vodacom Blou Bulle sal wees,” meen Janse van Rensburg.
“Beide het reeds as skoolseuns hulself tot die Bulle verbind en dit is fantasties om te weet hulle wil steeds hier wees. Dit bewys weereens hul lojaliteit en toewyding om te help om die Vodacom Bulls en Vodacom Blou Bulle as die voorste span in hul kompetisies te vestig,” het Janse van Rensburg gesê.
Hy het ook bevestig dat verskeie ander spelers kontrakte verleng het en is veral opgewonde oor die groot groep Junior Springbokke wat hulself tot die unie verbind het.
“Die o.20-span het almal beindruk met hulle puik vertonings in Nieu-Seeland en dit was goed om te sien dat verskeie van ons spelers hulle daar onderskei het. Dit is veral bemoedigend dat hulle graag hulle loopbane by ons wil voortsit.”
Die volgende spelers het hul kontrakte bevestig of verleng:
- Vodacom Bulls: Marcel van der Merwe (2016), Handre Pollard (2017), Jan Serfontein (2017)
- Vodacom Blou Bulle: Neethling Fouche (2016), Clyde Davids (2017), Burger Odendaal (2016), Kefentse Mahlo (2015), Jade Stighling (2015)
- 2014 Junior Springbokke: Corniel Els (2016), Dayan van der Westhuizen (2015), Abongile Nonkontwana (2015), Nqoba Mxoli (2015), Nicholaas Janse van Rensburg (2016), JP Smith (2015), Warrick Gelant (2016), Jesse Kriel (2015), Daniel Kriel (2015), Pierre Schoeman (2016), Arno van Wyk (2015).