The 8th and last Article in the set discussing the Vodacom Bulls.

In this Article we look at the contenders for the BACK THREE (Wings & Fullbacks) in the Vodacom Bulls 2013 Super Rugby group, and what their worth will be in Super Rugby terms.

The Contenders:

Name: Bjorn Alberick (Bjorn) Basson:

Position Wing Height 1.85 Weight 87kg Date of Birth 11 February 1987 Place of Birth King William’s Town Provincial Debut 2008 v Border Bulldogs Provincial Caps 60 Provincial Points 250 Super Rugby Debut 2009 v Lions Super Rugby Caps 42 Super Rugby Points 125 Test Debut 2010 v Wales Test Caps 6 Test Points 0

Whilst Bjorn usually plays on the left wing, he is a very able fullback.

Having cut his teeth at GWK Griquas and then went on to represent the Cheetahs at Super Rugby level, he decided to move to the Blue Bulls in 2011.

Bjorn represented the Emerging Springboks in 2009 and also played for the Royal XV against the British & Irish Lions.

At The Bulls he Has played Super Rugby, then gone on to represent the Springboks and also played for the Blue Bulls in the ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division.

We all know Bjorn to be a speed-freak and try scoring machine but if there is possibly one area where he needs to sharpen up is on defence.

Try-scoring comes easy for Basson, who topped the Super Rugby and Currie Cup logs in this regard for the Pretoria franchise in 2011. His pace, vision on attack and uncanny ability to contest in the air makes him one of the most dangerous wings in the competition and the Bulls will be looking to give their record-breaking finisher ample opportunity with the ball in hand.

Injury robbed Bjorn from piling up the tries in 2012 and also robbed him of Springbok duty late in the 2012 season. He will want to extend his magnificent try-scoring blitz in 2013.

Name: Johannes Jacobus (JJ) Engelbrecht:

Position Wing / Outside Centre Height 1.90 Weight 95kg Date of Birth 22 February 1989 Place of Birth Port Elizabeth Provincial Debut 2009 v Elephants Provincial Caps 35 Provincial Points 65 Super Rugby Debut 2012 v Sharks Super Rugby Caps 17 Super Rugby Points 15 Test Debut 2012 v Argentina Test Caps 1 Test Points 0

A product of Grey School (Port Elizabeth), JJ Engelbrecht is rated as one of the most promising young talents in South Africa.

A classical wing who also did duty for the Bulls and Blue Bulls at outside centre, Engelbrecht is powerful with ball in hand and blessed with great speed. The former Eastern Province Craven Week and Under 19 star attended Stellenbosch University after school, playing for the famous Maties 1st XV, and was a member of the 2010 Western Province Currie Cup squad, having made his debut for the region in 2009. In 2011 He continued to represent DHL Western Province and the DHL Stormers.

Upon joining the Bulls for the 2012 season he was still just 22 years old. Engelbrecht has been unlucky with injuries early in his career but has excelled for the Bulls in 2012, earning him a call-up to the Springboks under Heyneke Meyer. He should play a big part for the Bulls in 2013.

In 2011 JJ was the Players Player of the Year at Western Province Rugby Union.

A Springbok call-up in 2012 indicated the impact this elusive outside back made in his first season of Super Rugby. Engelbrecht runs great lines on attack and is always a threat with ball in hand. He will be looking to improve on his test match cap tally this year and in order to do that, a consistent and high class contribution will be needed – and can be expected from the Eastern Cape born player.

Career:

• 2007 – Eastern Province (Under 18 Coca-Cola Craven Week)
• 2008 – Vodacom Western Province (ABSA Under 9 Competition)
• 2009 – Western Province (Vodacom Cup), Maties (FNB Varsity Cup), Vodacom Western Province (British & Irish Lions Tour), Vodacom Western Province (ABSA Currie Cup Compulsary Friendlies), Vodacom Western Province (ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division), Western Province (ABSA Under 21 Competition)
• 2010 – Western Province (Vodacom Cup), Vodacom Western Province (ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division), Western Province (ABSA Under 21 Competition)
• 2011 – DHL Western Province (Vodacom Cup), DHL Western Province (Super Rugby), DHL Western Province (ABSA Currie Cup Compulsary Friendlies), DHL Western Province (ABSa Currie Cup Premier Division)
• 2012 – Vodacom Bulls (Super Rugby), Springboks (Castle Incoming Tours against England), Vodacom Blue Bulls (ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division), Springboks (The Rugby Championship)

Name: Akona Ndungane:

Position Wing Height 1.83 Weight 93 Date of Birth 20 February 1981 Place of Birth Umtata Provincial Debut 2003 v SWD (EP) Provincial Caps 78 Provincial Points 215 Super Rugby Debut 2005 v Cats Super Rugby Caps 84 Super Rugby Points 140 Test Debut 2006 v Australia Test Caps 11 Test Points 5

Akona is the twin brother of fellow Springbok wing, Odwa Ndungane (who plies his trade at the Sharks), grew up in Umtata and attended Hudson Park Secondary School.

He represented the Elephants in 2002 and 2003, then the Border Bulldogs in 2004, before moving to the Blue Bulls where he has represented the Vodacom Bulls and Blue Bulls, before making his Springbok Test debut on 15 July 2006 against Australia in Brisbane, becoming Springbok Number 774.

Two serious leg breaks has hampered Akona in the last couple of years but towards the end of 2011 he seemed to be coming back into prime form.

Maybe not a fabulously spectacular wing anymore, Akona is as steady as they come, finishes well and his defence is exemplary.

A lot has happened to Ndungane since his debut all those years ago, but the veteran winger has showed great courage and determination to get back to this level of play. He will be looking to improve on his already impressive Super Rugby medal tally in 2013.

Akona owns 3 Super Rugby winners medals (2007, 2009, 2010) as well as a World Cup winners medal (2007).

Career:

• 1999 – Border (Bankfin Under 21)
• 2002 – Mighty Elephants (Bankfin Under 21)
• 2003 – Mighty Elephants (Vodacom Shield), Mighty Elephants (ABSA Currie Cup Qualifying Rounds), Mighty Elephants (ABSA Currie Cup First Division), Mighty Elephants (ABSA Reserve Division B)
• 2004 – Bulldogs (Vodacom Cup), Bulldogs (ABSA Currie Cup First Division), South Africa A (South Africa A Outgoing Tour)
• 2005 – Vodacom Bulls (Super 12), Border Bulldogs (Vodacom Cup), Vodacom Blue Bulls (ABSA Currie Cup Qualifying Rounds), Border Bulldogs (ABSA Currie Cup Qualifying Rounds), Vodacom Blue Bulls (ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division)
• 2006 – Vodacom Bulls (Super 14), Springboks (Tri-Nations), Springboks (Outgoing Tours), Vodacom Blue Bulls (ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division)
• 2007 – Vodacom Bulls (Super 14), Springboks (World Cup Warm-up’s), Springboks (Vodacom Incoming Tours), Springboks (Vodacom Tri-Nations), Springbok XV (Vodacom Outgoing Tour), Springboks (Vodacom Outgoing Tour), Springboks (IRB Rugby World Cup 2007 – winner)
• 2008 – Vodacom Bulls (Super 14), Vodacom Blue Bulls (ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division)
• 2009 – Bulls (MTN test), Vodacom Bulls (Super 14 – winner), Vodacom Blue Bulls (ABSA Currie Cup Premer Division)
• 2010 – Vodacom Bulls (Super 14 – winner), Blue Bulls (Vodacom Cup), Vodacom Blue Bulls (ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division)
• 2011 – Vodacom Blue Bulls (Vodacom Cup), Vodacom Bulls (Super Rugby), Blue Bulls (ABSA Currie Cup Compulsary Friendlies), Vodacom Blue Bulls (ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division)
• 2012 – Vodacom Bulls (Super Rugby), Vodacom Blue Bulls (ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division)

Name: Zane Kirchner:

Position Fullback Height 1.85 Weight 96 kg Date of Birth 16 June 1984 Place of Birth George Provincial Debut 2003 Provincial Caps 101 Provincial Points 209 Super Rugby Debut 2008 v Stormers Super Rugby Caps 71 Super Rugby Points 100 Test Debut 2009 v British & Irish Lions Test Caps 24 Test Points 15

Zane attended Kretzenhoop Primary School and PW Botha College in George.

Zane made his name at the GWK Griquas where he played between 2003 to 2007, whereafter he joined the Blue Bulls from 2008 till present. He became Springbok Number 804 when he made his Test debut for the Springboks against the British & Irish Lions on 4 July 2009. He is now a seasoned Springbok with Tours to France, Italy & England in 2009 and the British Isles & Ireland in 2010.

As one of the senior members in the squad, Kirchner will be an important cog in his side’s performances in 2013. The fullback, who was also capped at outside centre for the Springboks, needs to show all his attacking, defensive and tactical virtues, not only to provide guidance, but also to impress at national level where competition is stiffening up for the fullback position.

If one can critisize Zane it would be that he overuses the up-and-under kick from the back a bit too much, but one has to remember that this tactic was a large part of the Bulls game plan a few seasons ago… the so-called kick and chase… and apply pressure.

Name: Petrus Jürgen (Jürgen) Visser:

Position Fullback / Flyhalf Height 1.91 Weight 92 kg Date of Birth 13 September 1989 Place of Birth Paarl Provincial Debut 2009 vs Elephants Provincial Caps 22 Provincial Points 0 Super Rugby Debut Super Rugby Caps 0 Super Rugby Points 0 Test Debut Test Caps 0 Test Points 0

Jürgen attended Vredendal Primary School and then attended Paarl Gymnasium where he matriculated in 2007. In his matric year he played for Western Province in the Coca-Cola Craven Week. In 2008 he played for Western Province in the Under 19 Competition and in 2010 he played for Western Province in the Under 21 Competition and for Maties in the FNB Varsity Cup.

Jürgen is currently studying Sports Management at Tukkies where he also went on to play in the FNB Varsity Cup in 2011, part of the Tukkies side who made it all the way to the Final.

In 2011 he finally got his chance to also play for the Blue Bulls in the ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division.

Super Rugby debutant Visser has steadily risen through the ranks at domestic level and should be successful in Super Rugby as well. A schoolboy and age group star at Western Province, Visser graduated into provincial rugby after showing real promise in the Varsity Cup competition, first with Maties and then Tuks. He headed north for more game time in 2011 where he forced his way into the Blue Bulls Currie Cup team.

In 2012 he still did not feature in Super Rugby but he certainly got more game time and developed in his role as fullback at the Blue Bulls.

Career:

• 2007 – Western Province (Under 18 Coca-Cola Craven Week)
• 2008 – Vodacom Western Province (ABSA Under 19 Competition)
• 2009 – Vodacom Western Province (ABSA Currie Cup Compulsary Friendlies), Western Province (ABSA Under 21 Competition)
• 2010 – Maties (FNB Varsity Cup), Western Province (Vodacom Cup)
• 2011 – Tuks (FNB Varsity Cup), Blue Bulls (ABSA Currie Cup Compulsary Friendlies), Vodacom Blue Bulls (ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division)
• 2012 – Vodacom Bulls (Super Rugby), Vodacom Blue Bulls (Vodacom Cup), Vodacom Blue Bulls (ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division)

Name: Clayton Blommetjies:

Position Fullback / Wing Height 1.85 Weight 85 kg Date of Birth 30 August 1990 Place of Birth Paarl Provincial Debut 2012 v Griquas Provincial Caps 6 Provincial Points 20 Super Rugby Debut Super Rugby Caps 0 Super Rugby Points 0 Test Debut Test Caps 0 Test Points 0

Clayton attended Paarlzicht Primary School and New Orleans Secondary School where he represented Boland Under 16 at the Coca-Cola Craven Week in 2006, Boland Under 18 Coca-Cola Craven Week in 2007, and then Boland Under 18 Academy Week in 2008.

In 2009 to 2011 he represented Tuks in the Varsity Cup. In 2010 he represented the Blue Bulls in the Vodacom Cup and played for the Blue Bulls in the Under 21 Competition.

In 2011 he represented the Blue Bulls in the Vodacom Cup.

In 2012 he represented the Blue Bulls in the Vodacom Cup and made his Currie Cup debut in the opening match of the 2012 Currie Cup Premier Division against Griquas

The gutsy 21 year old player is solid on defence and under the high ball, very dangerous on attack and creates a number of chances for players on his outside when joining the line at speed.

He is decidedly light and small in modern rugby terms, but makes up for it in heart and determination.

Career:

• 2006 – Boland (Under 16 Coca-Cola Grant Khomo Week)
• 2007 – Boland (Under 18 Coca-Cola Craven Week)
• 2008 – Under 18 Elite Squad (Elite Squads), SA Schools Academy (SA Schools), Boland (Under 18 Academy Week)
• 2009 – Tuks (FNB Varsity Cup), South Africa (IRB Junior World Championships), Blue Bulls (ABSA Under 21 Competition), SA Students (SA Students), Blue Bulls (ABSA Under 19 Competition)
• 2010 – Tuks (FNB Varsity Cup), Blue Bulls (Vodacom Cup), Blue Bulls (ABSA Currie Cup Compulsary Friendlies), Blue Bulls (ABSA Under 21 Competition)
• 2011 – Vodacom Blue Bulls (Vodacom Cup), Blue Bulls (ABSA Under 21 Competition), Tuks (FNB Varsity Cup)
• 2012 – Tuks (FNB Varsity Cup), Vodacom Blue Bulls (Vodacom Cup), South Africa (HSBC Sevens World Series Glasgow & London), Vodacom Blue Bulls (ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division)

Name: Sampie Mastriet:

Position Wing Height 1.80 Weight 85 kg Date of Birth 3 August 1990 Place of Birth Mariasdal Provincial Debut 2012 v Free State Cheetahs Provincial Caps 2 Provincial Points 5 Super Rugby Debut Super Rugby Caps 0 Super Rugby Points 0 Test Debut Test Caps 0 Test Points 0

Sampie attended Bonnievale Primary School and HTS Drostdy.

He represented Boland from Under 16 level through to Under 18 and Under 21 level from 2006 to 2008, before going to Pretoria to further his rugby career.

A serious speedster, Sampie is also a Sevens Blitzbok and has played for Tuks in the FNB Varsity Cup, Blue Bulls Under 21 in the Under 21 Competition as well as South Africa in the IRB Junior World Championship, all in 2009.

In 2010 he played for Tuks in the FNB Varsity Cup, the Blue Bulls in the Vodacom Cup and South Africa’s Blitzbokke in the IRB Sevens World Series.

In 2011 he played for the Blue Bulls in Vodacom Cup.

Despite limited opportunities in 2012, Mastriet continued his rich vein of try-scoring form for the men in blue by scoring a try in his ABSA Currie Cup debut in 2012. This after scoring 16 tries in 12 matches for the Blue Bulls Under 21 side the year before. A real finisher with great pace, the former SA Sevens and SA Under 20 player will be looking to make 2013 his breakthrough year.

Career:

• 2006 – Boland (Under 16 Coca-Cola Grant Khomo Week)
• 2007 – Boland (Under 18 Coca-Cola Craven Week)
• 2008 – Boland (Under 21 Promotion / Relegation), Under 18 Elite Squad (Elite Squads), Boland (Under 18 Coca-Cola Craven Week), Boland (ABSA Under 21 Competition)
• 2009 – Tuks (FNB Varsity Cup), South Africa (IRB Junior World Championships), Blue Bulls (ABSA Under 21 Competition), Blue Bulls (ABSA Under 19 Competition)
• 2010 – Tuks (FNB Varsity Cup), Blue Bulls (Vodacom Cup), South Africa (IRB Junior World Championship), Blue Bulls (ABSA Under 21 Competition), Vodacom Blue Bulls (ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division)
• 2011 – Vodacom Blue Bulls (Vodacom Cup), Blue Bulls (ABSA Currie Cup Compulsary Friendlies), Blue Bulls (ABSA Under 21 Competition), Vodacom Blue Bulls (ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division)
• 2012 – Vodacom Blue Bulls (Vodacom Cup), Vodacom Blue Bulls (ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division)

Additional Players:

A number of the Bulls players already discussed in other positions, like Francois Hougaard (who primarily will play scrumhalf), will also be used on the wing. So too possibly Wynand Olivier, who has represented the Springboks on the wing, apart from his regular berth at centre. As additional wing there is Travis Ismaiel.

Last year’s cover at fullback was a bit scrappy after Zane Kirchner but Jürgen Visser has come on in leaps and bounds and in Ulrich Beyers (discussed under the centres) and the young and dynamic Jesse Kriel the cupboard is suddenly very packed.

Starters:

I think it is logical to assume that Bjorn Basson (No 11), JJ Engelbrecht (No 14) and Zane Kirchner (No 15) are the most likely starters, but don’t discount old Akona Ndungane… the old horse is still reliable.

Francois Hougaard WILL help out on the wing too and Jürgen Visser should see more Super Rugby game time this year compared to last.

This was the LAST article in the range dealing with the Vodacom Bulls, all that is left to say is that the Bulls look a more complete and all-rounded side compared to 2012, where they still made the play-off’s.