This is the third article in the range of Bulls Squad Contenders for Super Rugby 2015.

We move deeper into the enjin room to the Locks. The Bulls have lost Paul Willemse and David Bullbring at lock for the 2015 season but of course Victor Matfield is sure to play Super Rugby this time around, whereas before the 2014 season that was not the case. Apart from Victor Matfield, Flip van der Merwe and Grant Hattingh, the Bulls will be able to call on the promising young Nico Janse van Rensburg as well as Marvin Orie in 2015.

We discuss the players IN the Super Rugby Group, and not all the options beyond that.

In this Article we look at the contenders for LOCKS in the Vodacom Bulls 2015 Super Rugby group, and whether they could force their way into Bok contention.

The Contenders:

Name: Phillip Rudolph “Flip” van der Merwe:

Position Lock (No 4 or No 5) Height 1.98m Weight 120 Kg Date of Birth 3 June 1985 Place of Birth Potchefstroom Provincial Debut 2007 for Free State Provincial Caps 60 Provincial Points 30 Super Rugby Debut 2007 for Cheetahs vs Chiefs Super Rugby Caps 72 Super Rugby Points 10 Test Debut 12 June 2010 vs France (Springbok No 818) Test Caps 35 Plus 1 Tour match Test Points 5

Flip is a product of Staatspresident Swart Primary School in Kimberley and also attended Grey College and Univerity of the Free State in Bloemfontein.

Flip came through the Under 19 and Under 21 ranks at the Free State Cheetahs and then played both Vodacom Cup, Currie Cup and Super Rugby for the Cheetahs before moving to the Blue Bulls and Bulls.

On 12 June 2010 he played his first Test for the Springboks against France. In 2009 Van der Merwe was recruited by the successful Super 14 team the Bulls. Prior to joining the Bulls and the Blue Bulls, Van der Merwe played his rugby for the Cheetahs. His father Flippie won six caps for South Africa from 1981 to 1989.

Flip van der Merwe narrowly missed out on selection for the Rugby World Cup in 2011, but in 2012 he moved out of the shadows of Bakkies Botha and Danie Rossouw to make the Vodacom Bulls’ No 4 jersey his own. He is hard and abrasive and was one of the incumbant Springbok locks before injury took it’s toll in 2014.

Flip is a Financial graduate and advisor off the field, enforcer and hard man on it. He will be very aware of the expectations of him delivering week after week. Abrasive, physical and a keen component in their driving mauls will again see the lock be an integral part of the Bulls power play in their forward pack.

In the middle of 2014 Flip was injured and the injury kept him out of the Springboks as well as out of the whole of the Currie Cup Premier Division. A further little injury means that big Flip is likely to miss the start of Super Rugby 2015.. but not for long.

Flip will be a sure Bulls lock starter, once back, and is now equally adept at No 4 and No 5 lock, having played there for the Bulls and Springboks.

Rugby Career:

• 2004: South Africa (IRB Under 19 World Championships), Free State (ABSA Under 20 Competition Section A)
• 2005: Free State (ABSA Under 21 Competition)
• 2006: Vodacom Cheetahs (Vodacom Cup), Free State (ABSA Under 21 Competition), Vodacom Free State Cheetahs (ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division)
• 2007: Free State (Vodacom Cup), Vodacom Cheetahs (Vodacom Super 14), Griffons (ABSA Currie Cup First Division), Vodacom Cheetahs (ABSA Currie Cup Compulsory Friendlies), Vodacom Free State Cheetahs (ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division)
• 2008: Free State (Vodacom Cup), Vodacom Cheetahs (Vodacom Super 14), Vodacom Free State Cheetahs (ABSA Currie Cup Compulsory Friendlies), Vodacom Free State Cheetahs (ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division)
• 2009: Free State (Vodacom Cup), Vodacom Cheetahs (Vodacom Super 14), Bulls (MTN Test), Vodacom Blue Bulls (ABSA Currie Cup Compulsory Friendlies), Vodacom Blue Bulls (ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division)
• 2010: Vodacom Bulls (Vodacom Super 14), Springboks (Vodacom Incoming Tours), Springboks (Vodacom Tri-Nations), Vodacom Blue Bulls (ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division), Springboks (Outgoing Tours)
• 2011: Vodacom Bulls (Vodacom Super Rugby), Springboks (Castle Tri-Nations), Vodacom Blue Bulls (ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division)
• 2012: Vodacom Bulls (Vodacom Super Rugby), Springboks (Castle Incoming Tours), Vodacom Blue Bulls (ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division), Springboks (The Rugby Championship), Springboks (Castle Outgoing Tours)
• 2013: Vodacom Bulls (Vodacom Super Rugby), Springboks (Castle Lager Incoming Tours), Springboks (The Rugby Championship), Springboks (Castle Lager Outgoing Tours)
• 2014: Vodacom Bulls (Vodacom Super Rugby), Springboks (Castle Lager Incoming Tours)

Name: Victor Matfield:

Position Lock (No 5) Height 2.01m Weight 110 Kg Date of Birth 11 May 1977 Place of Birth Polokwane Provincial Debut 1998 for Blue Bulls in Vodacom Cup Provincial Caps 55 PLUS 15 for Toulon Provincial Points 55 Super Rugby Debut 1999 for Cats Super Rugby Caps 138 Super Rugby Points 40 Test Debut 30 June 2001 vs Italy in Port Elizabeth(Springbok No 705) Test Caps 121 Test Points 35

He has played for and captained the Springbok rugby team as well as the Blue Bulls in the Currie Cup and the Bulls franchise in Super Rugby. He is generally considered one of the best locks in the world and had a long successful partnership with Springbok and Blue Bulls teammate Bakkies Botha.

Besides almost always winning his own lineout ball, Matfield is known for his exceptional skill at disrupting opposition lineouts – this skill was a cornerstone of their 2007 World Cup success, where he was crowned IRB (International Rugby Board) player of the Rugby World Cup – and his speed around the field led former Australian coach Eddie Jones to comment that he should be an Olympic sprinter instead. He also possesses good upper body strength, with the ability to bench press 155 kg. In 2008 he became the first international captain to beat the All Blacks in New Zealand since Martin Johnson in 2003. Matfield initially retired after the 2011 World Cup after an impressive career, leaving the game as the record Springbok cap holder, but returned after a two-year hiatus by signing a two-year playing contract with the Bulls for 2014 and 2015.

Born 11 May 1977 in Pietersburg (now Polokwane in Limpopo Province), South Africa, Matfield grew up with a love for both rugby and cricket, and even represented Far North Schools in the latter. When an injury affected his batting and bowling he decided to pursue rugby instead and was selected for Far North’s Junior Craven Week team before playing lock for Pietersburg High School. He made it to the Craven Week competition for high schools in two successive years before being selected for Far North’s senior provincial team while still in his final year of high school.

After school, Matfield went to study at the University of Pretoria where he made the university’s Under 21 side. It did not take long for him to be selected for the Blue Bulls Under 21 side as well.

In 1997, Matfield was selected for the Under 21 Springbok side captained by Bobby Skinstad. Matfield was also selected for the 1998 squad.

A big turning point in Matfield’s career came when he decided to leave the Blue Bulls for the Griquas in 1999, where he was also selected to represent the Cats in the Super 12 that year. The move allowed him to prove his worth, and in 2000 he was given the opportunity to represent the Bulls Super 12 team.

His hard work did not go unnoticed, and in 2001 he was finally selected for the Springbok squad, making his debut on 30 June 2001 against Italy. Matfield went on to help the Springboks’ renaissance in 2004 and 2005 – in the latter year, he made the 5-man shortlist for IRB World Player of the Year.

Matfield was an instant selection for South Africa’s 2007 World Cup winning-squad, and won the Man of the Match award in the final for his brilliant work in the lineout and, in a show of fine all-round skill, he even put in a perfect cross-field touch-finding kick!

Matfield had been linked with a move to Leicester Tigers of the English Premiership after the 2007 Rugby World Cup, but later signed a six-month contract with French 2nd Division club Toulon, beginning in January 2008. At Toulon, he joined an ambitious side whose president Mourad Boudjellai signed many veteran superstars for the 2007–08 season, such as Australian George Gregan – the sport’s all-time leader in international appearances, Andrew Mehrtens – the all-time leading scorer for the All Blacks and former All Blacks captain Tana Umaga (as coach).

Between January and February 2008, Matfield played for Toulon in a stretch of nine more games, before returning to South Africa and taking part in the 2008 Super 14 season with the Bulls. It was reported his decision to return was due to the South African Rugby Union having reconsidered to continue with its policy of allowing a limited number of overseas-based players to play for the Springboks.

Matfield retired from playing rugby and the Springboks after the 2011 World Cup, and considered a coaching career in Australia with the NSW Waratahs.

He eventually enrolled domestically as a SuperSport (TV) presenter for the Super Rugby season. He was also part of the coaching team and served as a lineout consultant for the Blue Bulls provincial rugby team in 2013.

In 2014, Matfield returned to rugby as a player, signing a 2-year playing contract with the Blue Bulls to keep him in the game until the end of 2015. He is currently the oldest South African provincial, Super Rugby and Springbok rugby player and is also the oldest ever Springbok player.

Over the course of his career, Matfield has won the Currie Cup – three times (2002, 2004 & 2009), the Super 14 title in 2007, 2009 and 2010, the Tri-Nations in 2004 and 2009 and the Rugby World Cup in 2007.

In 2008 he was inducted into the University of Pretoria Hall of fame.

Matfield married Monja Bekker on 12 December 2003. They have two daughters.

Rugby Career:

• 1996: Blue Bulls (Bankfin Under 21), South Africa (South Africa Under 23)
• 1997: Blue Bulls (Bankfin Under 21), South Africa (SA Under 21 tour to Australia), South Africa (Southern Hemisphere Under 21)
• 1998: Blue Bulls (Vodacom Cup), South Africa (Southern Hemisphere Under 21), Blue Bulls (Bankfin Under 21)
• 1999: Griqualand West (Vodacom Cup), Cats (Winfield Super 12), Griqualand West (Bankfin Currie Cup)
• 2000: Cats (Vodacom Super 12)South Africa (SA Under 23 – African Rugby Champs), Nasua Griquas (Bankfin Currie Cup), South Africa XV (SA to Argentina & the UK)
• 2001: Bulls (Vodacom Super 12), Springboks (Vodacom Incoming Tours), Blue Bulls (Bankfin Currie Cup), Springboks (Vodacom Tri-Nations), Springboks (Outgoing Tour)
• 2002: Bulls (Vodacom Super 12), South Africa A (Incoming Tours), Springboks (Incoming Tours), Blue Bulls (Bankfin Currie Cup), Springboks (Vodacom Tri-Nations)
• 2003: Bulls (Vodacom Super 12), South Africa (Vodacom Incoming Tours), Springboks (Vodacom Tri-Nations), Springboks (Rugby World Cup Warm-ups), Springboks (IRB Rugby World Cup)
• 2004: Bulls (Vodacom Super 12), Springboks (Vodacom Incoming Tours), Blue Bulls (ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division), Springboks (Vodacom Tri-Nations), Springboks (Vodacom Outgoing Tours)
• 2005: Bulls (Vodacom Super 12), Springboks (Vodacom Incoming Tours), Vodacom Blue Bulls (ABSA Currie Cup Qualifying Round), Springboks (Vodacom Tri-Nations), Springboks (Nelson Mandela Challenge), Vodacom Blue Bulls (ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division), Springboks (Vodacom Outgoing Tours)
• 2006: Vodacom Bulls (Vodacom Super 14), Springboks (Vodacom Incoming Tours), Springboks (Vodacom Tri-Nations)
• 2007: Vodacom Bulls (Vodacom Super 14), Springboks (World Cup Warm-up matches), Springboks (Vodacom Incoming Tours), Springboks (Vodacom Tri-Nations), Springboks (IRB Rugby World Cup)
• 2008: Vodacom Bulls (Vodacom Super 14), Springboks (Vodacom Incoming Tours), Vodacom Blue Bulls (ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division), Springboks (Vodacom Tri-Nations), Springboks (Vodacom Outgoing Tour)
• 2009: Vodacom Bulls (Vodacom Super 14), Springboks (British & Irish Lions Tour), Vodacom Blue Bulls (ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division), Springboks (Vodacom Tri-Nations), Springboks (Vodacom Outgoing Tours)
• 2010: Vodacom Bulls (Vodacom Super 14), Springboks (Vodacom Incoming Tours), Vodacom Blue Bulls (ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division), Springboks (Vodacom Tri-Nations), Springboks (Outgoing Tours)
• 2011: Vodacom Bulls (Vodacom Super Rugby), Springboks (Castle Tri-Nations), Springboks (IRB Rugby World Cup)
• 2012: In retirement (Consultant at the Blue Bulls)
• 2013: In retirement (Consultant at the Blue Bulls)
• 2014: Vodacom Bulls (Vodacom Super Rugby), Springboks (Castle Lager Incoming Tours), Springboks (The Rugby Championship), Springboks (Castle Lager Outgoing Tour)

Name: Grant Neil Hattingh:

Position Lock Height 2.01m Weight 107 Kg Date of Birth 3 October 1990 Place of Birth Johannesburg Provincial Debut 2012 for Western Province vs Eagles Provincial Caps 30 Provincial Points 10 Super Rugby Debut 2012 for MTN Lions vs Brumbies Super Rugby Caps 34 Super Rugby Points 5 Test Debut Test Caps 0 Test Points 0

Grant Hattingh is a utility forward, able to play lock, flank and No 8.

He is a product of Grey (PE) Primary School, Kingswood College, ETA (Exercise Teachers Academy) and University of Stellenbosch (Maties).

He played age-group level rugby for Western Province between 2009 and 2011 and also represented Maties in the 2011 and 2012 Varsity Cup competitions. He broke into the Western Province Vodacom Cup team after the completion of the 2012 Varsity Cup and made his provincial debut on 21 April 2012 against the Eagles in Oudtshoorn. Hattingh was a 35th minute replacement for Tyrone Holmes in a 29-14 win for Province.

In April 2012, Hattingh received a surprise call-up to the injury depleted Lions and he made his Super Rugby debut on 27 April 2012 as a 50th minute replacement for Hendrik Roodt as the Lions lost 34-20 to the Brumbies.

In July 2012, he announced that he was joining the Blue Bulls on a two and a half year deal. At the end of 2013, he signed a contract extension to tie him to the Blue Bulls until October 2016.

With recent departures from the Bulls, Grant has the opportunity to make it big in Super Rugby in 2015.

Rugby Career:

• 2009: Western Province (ABSA Under 19 Competition)
• 2010: Western Province (ABSA Under 21 Competition)
• 2011: Maties (FNB Varsity Cup), DHL Western Province (ABSA Currie Cup Compulsory Friendlies), Western Province (ABSA Under 21 Competition)
• 2012: Maties (FNB Varsity Cup), DHL Western Province (Vodacom Cup), MTN Lions (Vodacom Super Rugby), Vodacom Blue Bulls (ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division)
• 2013: Vodacom Bulls (Vodacom Super Rugby), Vodacom Blue Bulls (ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division)
• 2014: Vodacom Bulls (Vodacom Super Rugby), Vodacom Blue Bulls (Vodacom Cup), Vodacom Blue Bulls (ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division)

Name: Nicolaas Jacobus “Nico” Janse van Rensburg:

Position Lock Height 1.99m Weight 109 Kg Date of Birth 6 May 1994 Place of Birth Pretoria Provincial Debut 2014 Provincial Caps 13 Provincial Points 0 Super Rugby Debut 2014 Super Rugby Caps 1 Super Rugby Points 0 Test Debut Test Caps 0 Test Points 0

Nico attended Hennopspark Primary School and Afrikaans Hoër Seunsskool (Affies).

He represented the Blue Bulls at the Under 16 Grant Khomo Week in 2010 and at the Under 18 Craven Week in 2012. As a result of the latter, he earned a call-up to the South African Schools side in 2012, where he started in 2 of their matches, against Wales and England.

In 2013, he was included in the Blue Bulls Under 19 squad for the 2013 Under 19 Provincial Championship. He scored a try in his first match for the side against the Leopards and made a total of 9 appearances, including the final of the competition, where the Blue Bulls beat the Golden Lions Under 19 side to win the trophy.

He was selected in the South Africa Under 20 squad that participated at the 2014 IRB Junior World Championship. He started in all 5 their matches during the competition – after featuring in their pool stage victories over Scotland, New Zealand and Samoa, which saw South Africa qualify for the semi-finals, he then started their semi-final against New Zealand and the final against England, but couldn’t prevent them suffering a 21–20 defeat in the final.

Janse van Rensburg made his first class debut during the 2014 Vodacom Cup competition when he played off the bench in a match against Griquas in Pretoria. A second substitute appearance followed a week later against the Pumas in Nelspruit.

It is a big step up from Currie Cup Rugby (where he played for the Blue Bulls in 2014) to Super Rugby, but a lot is expected for the talented youngster in 2015.

Rugby Career:

• 2010: Blue Bulls (Under 16 Coca-Cola Grant Khomo Week)
• 2012: Blue Bulls (Under 18 Coca-Cola Craven Week), South Africa (SA Schools)
• 2013: Vodacom Blue Bulls (ABSA Under 19 Competition)
• 2014: Vodacom Blue Bulls (Vodacom Cup), Vodacom Bulls (Vodacom Super Rugby), South Africa (IRb Junior World Championship), Vodacom Blue Bulls (ABSA Under 21 Competition), Vodacom Blue Bulls (ABSa Currie Cup Premier Division)

Name: Marvin Orie:

Position Lock Height 1.98m Weight 104 Kg Date of Birth 15 February 1993 Place of Birth Cape Town Provincial Debut 2014 for Blue Bulls in Vodacom Cup Provincial Caps 6 Provincial Points 0 Super Rugby Debut Super Rugby Caps 2 Super Rugby Points 0 Test Debut Test Caps 0 Test Points 0

After having represented Western Province at the 2006 Under 13 Craven Week, the 2009 Under 16 Grant Khomo Week and the 2010 Under 18 Craven Week tournaments, Orie made the move north to join Pretoria-based side the Blue Bulls.

He played for the Blue Bulls Under 19 side that were the losing finalists in the 2011 Under 19 Provincial Championship competition and for the Blue Bulls Under 21 side that won the Under 21 Provincial Championship the following season. He was also a member of the South African Under 20 side that memorably won the 2012 IRB Junior World Championship on home soil, although he didn’t make an appearance in the tournament.

In 2013, Orie played for Pretoria university side UP Tuks in the Varsity Cup competition, helping them win the competition for the second consecutive season. He was set to captain the Junior Boks at the 2013 IRB Junior World Championship, but suffered a horrific broken leg in the Varsity Cup final and missed the remainder of the 2013 season.

Orie was named as a substitute for the Blue Bulls’ 2012 Vodacom Cup match against the Pumas in Nelspruit, but failed to make an appearance. However, due to his involvement with UP Tuks in the 2013 Varsity Cup and the subsequent broken leg he suffered, he only made his first class debut two years later, making an appearance from the bench in their 30–26 victory over the Leopards in Leeudoringstad in the 2014 Vodacom Cup competition. After 5 substitute appearances, he made his first start in the Semi-Finals of the competition against the Golden Lions.

Towards the end of 2014 Marvin signed a contract extention with the Blue Bulls.

Rugby Career:

• 2006: Western Province (Under 13 Coca-Cola Craven Week)
• 2009: Western Province (Under 16 Coca-Cola Grant Khomo Week)
• 2010: Western Province (Under 18 Coca-Cola Craven Week)
• 2011: Vodacom Blue Bulls (ABSa Under 19 Competition)
• 2012: Vodacom Blue Bulls (Vodacom Cup – Squad Member), South Africa (IRB Junior World Championship – Squad Member), Vodacom Blue Bulls (ABSA Under 21 Competition)
• 2013: Vodacom Blue Bulls (Vodacom Cup – Squad Member), Tuks (FNB Varsity Cup), Vodacom Blue Bulls (ABSA Under 21 Competition), South Africa (IRB Junior World Championship – was chosen as Captain but never played due to season ending injuy in Varsity Cup Final)
• 2014: Vodacom Bulls (Vodacom Super Rugby), Vodacom Blue Bulls (Vodacom Cup), Vodacom Blue Bulls (ABSA Under 21 Competition), Vodacom Blue Bulls (ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division)

Starters:

The Bulls are sure to start with Flip van der Merwe (upon his return from injury lay-off) and Victor Matfield but Grant Hattingh will definately get quite a bit of game time too.

Nico Janse van Rensburg should get a number of caps from the bench too in 2015 and the least likely to get game time in 2015 is Marvin Orie.

The Bulls could have done with one more experienced lock but should the need arise, Jacques du Plessis could be used as a lock too.

The next Article in the range will deal with the Bulls loose forwards.