Bakkies the Bulls battering ram
18 May 2006
The Crusaders have been warned: Bakkies Botha is on the warpath.
Bulls captain Victor Matfield told keo.co.za that Botha’s benching last week – albeit tactically – has fired up his lock partner ahead of the do-or-die Vodacom Super 14 semi-final against the Crusaders on Saturday.
“Bakkies definitely gives us a hard physical edge. He is quite intimidating for the opposition and he is really revved up for this game,” Matfield told keo.co.za from his hotel room at the Holiday Inn Garden Court in central Christchurch.
“Bakkies played as much in the game against the Stormers, about 55 or 60 minutes as he did in any other game this season, but he prides himself on being in the starting line-up. I don’t think he was entirely happy playing off the bench, but he knew why,” Matfield explained.
If the Bulls are to have any hope of pulling off what would amount to the shock of the season in many people’s eyes, they will all need fire from the first whistle. Botha’s no-nonsense approach needs to be adopted by all 15 players if the Bulls are to disrupt the well-oiled Crusaders machine. “Bakkies’ hunger to play well this weekend is huge. We need a great start if we hope to win.â€
The opening 20 minutes will be vital to the outcome and for this reason Botha – all 118kg and 2.02m of him – will be used as the battering ram. If the ‘Saders wall holds then they will likely end victorious, but if the Bulls can make early in roads on the scoreboard they might have a chance.
“It’s always hard to win away from home and especially against the Crusaders, but the same rules apply to both teams out there. We do, however, have to be at our very best.â€
By Andrew Hollely
226 Comments
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18 May 2006, 14:41 pm
Neo – I think you’ll find that everyone and their dog will be supporting the Bulls on Saturday, regardless of who they support during the regular season…
18 May 2006, 14:43 pm
Dunno havent yet decieded where my loyalties lie yet – the saders are a good side and i dont think i could bare to listen to these bulls fans going on and on and on for another year.
18 May 2006, 14:44 pm
I suppose, if only we had a Daniel Carter, I would have been more comfortable, not that Morne is bad, but no-one comes close to Dan the man. Hopefully Bakkies can step on his foot.
18 May 2006, 14:45 pm
I think rugby will be the winner ons aturday…
18 May 2006, 14:46 pm
As long as rugby consists of the bulls team Vinnie, its all good!!
18 May 2006, 14:47 pm
Rugby, and every bar owner in Hatfield….
18 May 2006, 14:48 pm
St.P – We will have to see if the referee has got his Crusader jersey on or not. Having said all this i do hope the Bulls can pull it through for South African rugby. It has once again been a ****** year for our teams.
18 May 2006, 14:51 pm
ibok – yep – a ****** year for our teams, depending on who you support, of course. My team had an extremely successful season – in avoiding the wooden spoon and ending the season in the unexpected, and mind blowing 13th position on the log. GO CATS!!!!!!!!!!
18 May 2006, 14:54 pm
Myler
Comment 186: NZ and Oz are neighbours, If SA played a test in NZ against Oz, there will be so much OZ support that it would be a home game.
A neutral venue would also not be the most economical in terms of revenue and interest,
I cant see us filling a stand to watch Oz vs. NZ
18 May 2006, 15:03 pm
Frazer – I thought my Stormers were going to beat you guys to the wooden spoon post. ****, better luck next year.
18 May 2006, 15:06 pm
ibok, Not a ****** year in the least,
We have seen more away wins than previous years,
We have seen 2 teams in the top5.
We have seen a much wider spectrum of quality players coming through and contesting for Green n Gold jerseys,
In my opinion, We have had a good building year, perhaps at the right time considering we are a year away from the WC.
One thing I must say though just adding to St. P’s comments earlier, Jacques Botes and Schalk Brits deserved to be in the Springbok side,
The Ndungane brothers both deserved to be there,
In staying politically correct, the numbers could still have been made using at least 1 Ndungane and removing Shimange,
Marius Joubert is living off the dreams of yesteryear, I would not have selected him.
There are others who are more deserved,
I dont quite understand the mentality of picking a player out of form, hoping and praying that somewhere along the line, it will return.
Ralepele is a great prospect, but still too young, I would have spared him for another year.
Tyibilika has not had a good season, enough said.
All in all, I would suggest that our rugby has improved since we are now capable of selecting a 45 Man squad, and still have excellent and deserving players ommitted.
Consider 2002….
Things are improving.
18 May 2006, 15:06 pm
ibok – I feel for you dude. Have no fear – if you keep Fester, you’ll be there next season…
18 May 2006, 15:07 pm
Yellow Card beckons ….
ig banish these damn smileys !
18 May 2006, 15:08 pm
Jake – So you’re not really Jake White then?…..
18 May 2006, 15:09 pm
Murph – I’m not sure I understand what this smiley phobia is all about…..
18 May 2006, 15:09 pm
18 May 2006, 15:11 pm
I am the little voice that bothers Jake
18 May 2006, 15:12 pm
Jake – you need to up your game, bud…
18 May 2006, 15:23 pm
4kleur
wild1@sky.co.za
18 May 2006, 15:26 pm
Ek sien al hoe sit drolle soos Vinnie, Murph en Kudu daar met hulle vet toontjies wat krul van die lekkerkry aan die gedagte dat die Bulle gaan verloor. Ek dink daar wag dalk ‘n verassing op hulle. My bone se die Bulle gaan wen, en hy het my nog nooit in die steek verlaat nie.
18 May 2006, 15:28 pm
Bra,
tot jou ma het jou in die steek gelaat.
18 May 2006, 15:32 pm
what the guy on news24 thinks
15: Leon MacDonald
MacDonald has been superb in the last line of defence for the Crusaders after returning from a stint in Japan. Prone to suffering bouts of concussion, MacDonald has been the one dishing out headaches for the opposition in 2006. The Crusaders’ leading try scorer – with seven tries – MacDonald will look to attack the Bulls at every opportunity if given a hint of space.
Rating… 9
14: Rico Gear
Certainly one of the quickest players in world rugby and a devastating finisher when given a sniff of the tryline, Gear has by his high standards enjoyed a quiet Super 14 after an astonishing 14 tries in 2005. A strong semi-final performance will go a long way towards cementing Gear’s spot in Graham Henry’s All Blacks squad.
Rating… 8
13: Casey Laulala
The 24-year-old Samoan-born Laulala has made the outside centre berth his own after competition from Cameron McIntyre and Caleb Ralph. Deceptively strong in the tackle – both when making and breaking them – his one-on-one match-up with JP Nel promises to go a long way to determining who gains ascendancy in midfield.
Rating… 7
12: Aaron Mauger
Incredibly still only 25, Mauger is seen as the ‘brains’ of the Crusaders’ backline. The last of the three ‘M’s’ after Marshall and Mehrtens departed, the Crusaders will look to his experience to shore up the midfield and his educated boot to relieve pressure situations. Deceptively quick off the mark – with an uncanny ability to kick a match-winning drop goal… coach Robbie Deans will expect yet another world class performance from his star centre.
Rating… 9
11: Scott Hamilton
One of the most underrated players in New Zealand. Hardly ever produces a poor performance and the hierarchy must rate him as he’s been given the starting nod ahead of Caleb Ralph – a veteran of over 100 ‘Super’ caps. Tall and strong, he’ll have to be at his very best to contain Habana.
Rating… 7
10: Dan Carter
Words don’t do justice to the current IRB World Player of the Year. As the cliché goes, ‘nobody’s perfect’… if so, we may as well rename him ‘Nobody’ as everything he touches turns to gold. He’s the perfect 10… the Bo Derek of flyhalves if you will. The Bulls were on the receiving end of his latest masterclass at Loftus when he single-handedly took on, bedazzled and bewildered both the Bulls and their supporters. Possessing an unerring boot and unafraid to mix it with the forwards, Carter is well on his way to etching his name in the record books for eternity.
Rating… 10
9: Andrew Ellis
Ellis and Kevin Senio have alternated this season in the number nine jersey as the Crusaders search for a replacement to fill the sizeable boots left by Justin Marshall. One wouldn’t think turning up at a ruck or maul and setting the Crusaders’ backline in motion would be a challenging task – and perhaps it isn’t – but there has been hesitancy at times this year that wasn’t present during Marshall’s reign.
Rating… 7
8: Mose Tuiali’i
‘Moss’ – to his mates – has been a tower of strength at the base of the scrum for the Crusaders all year. Not the heaviest loose forward to ever play the game, you won’t however find Tuiali’i taking a step backwards for anyone. Blessed with tremendous handling skills and standing nearly two metres tall, Tuiali’i gives the Crusaders an extra lineout option. Bonus points for Mose for naming WWE superstar ‘The Rock’ as one of his heroes.
Rating… 8
7: Richie McCaw (captain)
McCaw has trawled the bottom of the darkest rucks and mauls since he burst onto the rugby arena – with a success rate second to none – turning over more ball than you or I could count. Does he play fair? Is he a cheat? The jury is out on the recently named All Blacks skipper. All I know is I’d rather have him on my team than playing against me and the Bulls may find that out to their detriment. McCaw missed the Loftus encounter citing ‘the need for rest’ but will lead his troops from the frontline on Saturday.
Rating… 9
6: Johnny Leo’o
Leo’o has been forced to wait patiently in the wings the majority of his career for the opportunity to display his wares. A more loyal servant the Crusaders could not wish for. His career has coincided with that of the great McCaw but when presented with his opportunity he’s invariably grasped it with both hands.
Rating… 7
5: Reuben Thorne
Former skipper Thorne is playing some of his best rugby of his career at present. Equally at home on the flank or at lock the versatile Thorne will be found doing the hard work in the engine room for the Crusaders. You’d pick him to go to war with in a heartbeat. Thorne brings years of experience to the tight-five and the cabinet-maker by trade would love nothing more than to add to his five Super 12 titles.
Rating… 8
4: Chris Jack
The match-up between Jack and Matfield could well be the most intriguing of the semi-final. At home in the lineouts, on the drive or loping around the field, the similarity in styles between Matfield and Jack is uncanny. Supremely athletic for a lock forward, Jack will often pop up where you least expect him. A trump card without question in the Crusaders line-up.
Rating… 9
3: Greg Somerville
Somerville brings experience to the Crusaders front-row in an area in which they hold the upper hand. He’ll relish the prospect of scrumming against the relative ‘novice’ in Roux. Bollocking runs are a trademark of Somerville’s general play and his tackle count for a tight forward is outstanding. Somerville will play his 100th ‘Super’ match on Saturday.
Rating… 8
2: Corey Flynn
Flynn has perhaps taken bigger strides this season than any other New Zealand forward. So much so, that a spot in the All Blacks squad isn’t out of the question. Flynn will be found out on the wing playing the role of a fourth loose forward on occasions, yet isn’t scared to mix it with the behemoths up front. His head-to-head duel with Gary Botha is mouth-watering.
Rating… 8
1: Wyatt Crockett
I suspect Wyatt William Vogels Crockett would fall into the unknown category in terms of what the Bulls know about him. Part of a batch of young, up-and-coming Kiwi props, Crockett has more than adequately filled the void vacated by Dave Hewitt this season. The Bulls will soon find out just how strong the 23-year-old really is.
Rating… 7
TOTAL: 121
There you have it… 114 plays 121.
On paper at least the Crusaders appear to have the edge.
But who’s going to win?
The heart says the Bulls, the head says the Crusaders.
The wife claims I have no ticker so I’ll have to go with the Crusaders 28-19.
BULLS:
15: Jaco van der Westhuyzen
Springbok coach Jake White has made it clear that he believes Van der Westhuyzen’s best position is flyhalf while Heyneke Meyer continues to pick him in the number 15 jersey. Returning from injury in the latter stages of the tournament, Van der Westhuyzen made an immediate impact with his ability to sum up the situation in an instant before setting off on a weaving run or kicking for touch.
Rating… 8
14: Bryan Habana
The current South Africa Player of the Year hasn’t enjoyed a memorable campaign being overshadowed by his fellow wing Akona Ndungane. However, as they say, form is temporary, talent is forever, and Habana rose to the occasion when mattered most, scoring a brace of tries at Newlands in the Bulls’ final round robin clash. In total Habana dotted down six times this year and his experience will be vital on Saturday.
Rating… 9
13: JP Nel
Big, strong and robust, Nel took a back step to no one this year. His solid defence proved problematic for opposing centres and he was quick as a flash in turning defence into attack. Often the unsung hero of the Bulls’ midfield, look for JP to stamp his mark on proceedings.
Rating… 7
12: Wynand Olivier
Few players in South Africa have enjoyed a more meteoric rise than Olivier. Relatively unknown and certainly untested at ‘Super’ level, Wynand burst onto the scene with a bang this year upstaging many a more experienced opponent. Rewarded with a spot in White’s Springbok squad, the sky is the limit for this young star.
Rating… 8
11: Frikkie Welsh
Welsh appears to have won the battle for the left-wing spot ahead of Ndungane. Following a stint at Bath in the Guinness Premiership, he’s returned to the Bulls fold. To be fair Welsh has been more solid than spectacular to date and will have his hands full with Rico Gear.
Rating… 6
10: Morné Steyn
Steyn has assumed the flyhalf duties ahead of Derick Hougaard and many will question why he wasn’t entrusted with the pivotal position from the outset. Steyn has scored 67 points to date this year and holds the record for the most points by a Bulls player in a ‘Super’ clash (35 against the Stormers in 2005). He’s in the unenviable position of having to directly mark the mercurial Dan Carter and whether he shapes up or not will go a long way to determining the Bulls’ fortunes.
Rating… 8
9: Fourie du Preez
Another strong showing by Du Preez this year as he’s marshalled the forwards with authority. His kicking game, although at times it appears it’s a case of ‘kick first, think later’, has in the main resulted in ground gained for the Bulls. Du Preez was substituted against the Crusaders at Loftus but will have to play for 80 minutes if the Bulls are to succeed.
Rating… 8
8: Pedrie Wannenburg
It’s no coincidence that Wannenburg’s game improved following his shift from flank to the back of the scrum. Pedrie loves the physical aspect that the game offers and won’t be found hiding – a trait that has resulted in five tries and joint top spot for a South African forward this year. A ‘veteran’ of the Bulls pack at the age of 25, Wannenburg will be champing at the bit to get stuck into the Crusaders’ loose trio.
Rating… 8
7: Tim Dlulane
Dlulane has been impressive of late and was an outside bet for a surprise Springbok squad call-up. That wasn’t to be, but his form has relegated both Pierre Spies and Danie Rossouw to the bench. He may well face a baptism of fire against a shrewd Crusaders backrow, but he’ll be a better player learning from the best.
Rating… 7
6: Jacques Cronjé
Personally I don’t believe Cronjé has lived up to the high expectations placed upon him this year. Hugely talented and still only 23-years-old, Cronjé will be a permanent fixture on the international stage for years to come. He’ll have to raise his game against Richie McCaw and do the hard graft on the ground to prevent the Crusaders starving the Bulls of possession.
Rating… 7
5: Victor Matfield (captain)
A stalwart in the engine room for both the Bulls and the Springboks, Matfield is widely considered one of the premier locks in world rugby. Commanding respect from teammates and opponents alike as he sets an example for the rest to marvel at. Matfield’s attributes include an uncanny ability to disrupt the opposition’s lineout ball while ‘speeding’ around the field like a loose forward. He’ll have his hands full with Chris Jack, but will hold his own. Of that I’m certain.
Rating… 9
4: Bakkies Botha
John Philip ‘Bakkies’ Botha – bet you didn’t know that – brings ‘mongrel’ to the Bulls pack… in the most flattering manner of course. Certainly wouldn’t say it to his face. Bakkies has been a bit of a 50-minute player this year, but in that time has contributed more than most find possible in 80. He gives the pack the ‘go forward’ required on occasions and will be instrumental in the Bulls’ lineout possession and – hopefully – their many surges at the Crusaders’ tryline.
Rating… 9
3: Danie Thiart
Without doubt the Bulls’ weak point has been the frontrow this year. Desperately missing both Kees Lensing and Richard Bands, Thiart has been an adequate placement at best. It’s no surprise the Bulls pack hasn’t dominated as in previous campaigns thanks to the absence of the aforementioned powerhouses. He’ll have to be at his best to achieve parity in the scrums.
Rating… 6
2: Gary Botha
Back in 2005 it could be argued that despite not being a regular member of the Springbok set-up, Botha was the form hooker in South Africa. In 2006 however, I believe his stock has fallen – slightly – and he’s rightly second in line behind John Smit. However he remains a key cog in the Bulls machine and plays the part of a fourth loose forward. His understanding with Matfield and Bakkies at lineout time will be key.
Rating… 8
1: Wessel Roux
For Roux read Thiart. Much of a muchness really between Roux and Thiart as both have been solid rather than outstanding. Roux did score a try against the Stormers and will be hoping for similar joy against the Crusaders.
Rating… 6
TOTAL: 114 out of 150
18 May 2006, 15:39 pm
Bakkies will get a red card if he plays his usual “no-nonsense” style.
18 May 2006, 16:53 pm
He cant nickster. I’ve changed mu nick, only Blue cards this weekend.
18 May 2006, 18:48 pm
Bulls for the cup!!!!!!!
19 May 2006, 04:45 am
Tacitus, your comments re the Bulls gameplan are good, except that it only works if the other team play according to the Bull gameplan which all the other SA teams do.
Unfortunately for them, teams from overseas generally have their own agenda and particulrly the Crusaders, who can adapt their game to play a style that is most likely to beat any other team.
For the Bulls they run them ragged but do not try to confront them.
I hope the Bulls pull it off but I have no idea how they can do it as the are not fast enough to exploit the crusaders only weakness, by playing an in your face spoiling game, such as worked for the Stormers (on a rare Saders off day)
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