Bulls bring in Boks
28 Jan 2009
The Bulls have named a team including Victor Matfield, Fourie du Preez, Pierre Spies and Bryan Habana for their friendly against the Cheetahs on Friday.
Frans Ludeke rested most of his Springboks for the clash against the Lions last weekend and they were duly whipped 44-21. Ludeke has made 13 changes from that run-on team.
Only centre Marius Delport and tighthead Werner Kruger survive from the defeat at the Lions. Delport wins a place at 13 due to Jaco Pretorius’s calf injury, while the latter has been bracketed on the bench if he recovers in time.
The bench also has enviable depth with Danie Rossouw and Chiliboy Ralepelle among the subs.
The match kicks off at 19:00 in Polokwane.
Bulls – 15 Zane Kirchner; 14 Akona Ndungane, 13 Marius Delport, 12 Wynand Olivier, 11 Bryan Habana; 10 Morné Steyn, 9 Fourie du Preez; 8 Pierre Spies, 7 Dewald Potgieter, 6 Deon Stegmann, 5 Victor Matfield (c), 4 Bakkies Botha, 3 Werner Kruger, 2 Derick Kuün, 1 Gurthrö Steenkamp.
Subs (from): Chiliboy Ralepelle, Frik Kirsten, Dean Greyling, Danie Rossouw, Heini Adams, Burton Francis, Wayne Julies, Gerhard van den Heever, Braam Gerber / Jaco Pretorius, Jacques Burger, Wilhelm Steenkamp.
41 Comments
28 Jan 2009, 13:47 pm
Bok dragons
28 Jan 2009, 14:13 pm
Does anybody know if supersport are showing the warm-ups this weekend, and if not, why not?
28 Jan 2009, 14:17 pm
Ho, hum another easy game for the Cheetahs.
28 Jan 2009, 14:20 pm
Word die wedstryd vrydag of saterdagaand gespeel ?
Sou graag vir Braam Gerber langs WO wou sien, nie vir Delport nie.
28 Jan 2009, 14:25 pm
Cheetahs by 5.
28 Jan 2009, 14:30 pm
#4 alf:
Game is Friday, kick off 19:00, in Polokwane.
Not televised.
28 Jan 2009, 14:31 pm
Seems the Lions gave Ludeke a bit of a fright.
28 Jan 2009, 14:42 pm
How far does the Bulls depth go? Yes there are the big names, and a few up-and-coming players, what happens if there are a few injuries?
28 Jan 2009, 14:42 pm
#6 PissAnt: Hopelik sal daar ‘live scoring’ hier op keo wees ?
28 Jan 2009, 14:43 pm
#8 Travelling Shark:
Actually, the Bulls probably have the most depth of all the SA Super 14 squads…
28 Jan 2009, 14:45 pm
#10 WP Till I Die: dankie BOER
, maar nou ja die tjarkies is bietjie eenoogig deesdae….. 
Praat more weer met julle
28 Jan 2009, 15:00 pm
Interesting, I know that their squad streches far, and Im not trying to start an argument here, but if key players; Spies, Habana etc, are (God Forbid) injured do they have the youngsters that will be able to 1 Step up to S14 level quickly and 2 Fill the shoes of the some of the most formidable players in World Rugby?
28 Jan 2009, 15:05 pm
Let’s see:
If Kirchner is injured, Jaco vd Westuizen takes his place.
If Habana/Ndungane goes, Jaco vd Westhuizen/Marius Delport/John Mametsa can come in.
If Jaco Pretorius gets injured, we have JP Nel
Wynand Olivier – Wayne Julies
Morne Steyn – Jaco vd Westhuizen/Burton Francis.
Fourie du Preez – Heinie Adams.
Pierre Spies – Dewald Potgieter replaces him.
Dewald Potgieter – Pedrie Wannenburg comes in.
Deon Stegman – I’d move Kuun to no.6, which is his best position in any case.
Bakkies Botha or Victor Matfield – Danie Rossouw
Rayno Gerber – Werner Kruger
Derick Kuun – Chilliboy
Gurthro Steenkamp – Jaco Engels
Obviously, not all of these positions will need a replacement at the same time, so that gives you room to maneuver, with Jaco vd Westhuizen and Dewald Potgieter etc. covering multiple positions. Overall, I’d say the Bulls are well prepared for most eventualities and have adequate depth going into the competition.
28 Jan 2009, 15:06 pm
#12 Travelling Shark:
Most teams struggle putting experienced Super 14 players in their first XV
28 Jan 2009, 15:35 pm
Is this match being televised or is it another useless arrangement like the Stormers/Saracens match?
28 Jan 2009, 15:38 pm
#15 Crouching Tiger Hidden Bokke: No.
28 Jan 2009, 15:47 pm
#16 K9_BaasPatrolliehond: No, as in its not being televised?
28 Jan 2009, 15:48 pm
Jaco Pretorius…..is he at the Bulls now?
I would appear to be a little out of the loop.
I work too hard?
…anyway, good news for the Bulls, I really rate that guy if indeed it is that guy?
28 Jan 2009, 15:51 pm
#18 St.Petersburgbok:
Yes, we signed him on a 3 year deal starting this year.
28 Jan 2009, 15:52 pm
#17 Crouching Tiger Hidden Bokke: Yip.
28 Jan 2009, 15:56 pm
…he probably got pissed off playing out of position for the Lions when Jaque Fourie is fit.
….anyway, thank heavens because Delport started of average and has seemingly kakker with experience.
28 Jan 2009, 16:05 pm
#13 Tacitus:
Bulls have the most amount of depth in the country
BUT
the likes of Wanneburg/Jaco/JP Nel are hanging on with the last once of talent to still play in the BIG leagues-stints in Japan will not help the latter 2,wannenburg is lazy-FAT
Delport/Mametsa/Kruger/Gerber-are not S14 material IMHO….Bulls must sort out their tighthead problems.Since Bands went binging on booze the tighthead standard has been poor(Thiart etc)
But in Rossouw/Julies/Engels/Chilliboy-very impressive indeed.(best inside centre cover in the whole comp imo)
I agree with u,Kuun is a openside.Should have never converted him into a 2.(that naka Drotske’s speciality…Bok flanks to wing..bt wont get into that)
28 Jan 2009, 16:17 pm
#22 mshiniwami:
Jaco was one of our stars when we won the Super 14 in 2007.
Wannenburg is a contender for the starting line-up, and I oviously disagree with your assessment of his ability.
JP Nel was our starting 13 when we won the S14, and up to last year.
Kruger/Gerber were our tightheads when we won the S14, so I must disagree with you there. They might not be the BEST tightheads in the S14, but they have done the job in the past.
Delport is decent cover, and if he can rediscover just some of the form he had in junior rugby, he has the talent to be a star.
28 Jan 2009, 16:25 pm
#23 Tacitus:
Most of your “form” referrals are of 2007-thats is 2 yrs ago.
Wannenburg is a good player-Was a fan but his focus belies his ability which I have said before.Last yr he was abysmal.Period
JP Nel is not the answer plus he has been playing in Japan which will take hima bit to get upto speed
Gerber/Kruger are decent yes but last year gerber was less than impressive.Young Frik Kirsten is a Beast though.(Hayman type build)-he has a bright future.
Jaco hasnt played top flight rugby in nearly 2 yrs.Didnt feature in any sort of capacity for Bulls in 07 CC,nor 08 S14/CC.
Delport could be a decent wing where he excelled at age group level but at 13 he is out of his depth.Plus he is 24 this yr..can no longer be sen as a youngster.3 full seasons of S14 rugby behind him.Limited injuries as well.
28 Jan 2009, 16:36 pm
#24 mshiniwami:
Unless any of these players are well into their 30′s, 2 years ago does not mean that they are suddenly sub-standard now.
28 Jan 2009, 16:41 pm
#25 Tacitus:
Even players in their 20′s lose form till the point they arent good enough anymore
Gaffie
Roland Bernard
Gerrie Brits
etc
It happens
28 Jan 2009, 16:46 pm
#26 mshiniwami:
But what you are suggesting is that 6 players under the age of 30 in the Bulls squad suddenly lost form over the course of 2 years. I don’t buy that.
The last game Jaco played for the Bulls we won the trophy. Gerber and Kruger were no worse last year than they were in 2007.
Wannenburg had a bad year last year, but by all accounts he has shaken off the excess kilos and if he is back to 2007 form I’d be more than happy with his performance.
Point is, I don’t think that a whole host of players that were in the winning S14 squad just two years ago are now suddenly below par. To me, it is more a case of wishful thinking on our opponents part. All of the mentioned players are more than good enough to serve as backups in their respective positions. And in my view, Jaco vd Westhuizen and Pedrie Wannenburg should arguably be in every matchday 22.
28 Jan 2009, 16:57 pm
It’s a damn shame. I really liked Pretorius…
Bulls have the strongest squad in my opinion. Most depth and an awesome combination of experience and talent. Sharks backs are great but unsettled. Still I will be supporting any team that comes up against the Bulls even if my Dad bans me from the T.V. room for being unpatriotic.
28 Jan 2009, 17:01 pm
#28 Bagel:
What!? Why?
28 Jan 2009, 17:06 pm
CME NOW LETS NOT FOOL OURSELVES INTO BELIEVING THAT THE BULLS HAVE MORE DEPTH THAN THE SHARKS…..SHARKS COVER IS INFORM PLAYERS UNLIKE THE BULLS,JUS SPEAKING OF PLAYERS WHO HAVE ONCE PERFORMED,WANNENBURG/NEL/JULLIES/JACO/DELPORT WEN WAS THE LAST TIME THEIR NAMES WERE ON EVERYONES LIPS
K.DANIELS/KOCKET/MURRAY/BURDEN/CELLIERS/J.DUPLESIS/VD BERG IS DECENT COVER!!
WEN WAS THE LAST TIME THIER GAME BREAKERS DID JUS THAT? IE. SPIES,HABANA,DUPREE……..?
28 Jan 2009, 17:10 pm
#30 RAGGTOOTH: Your Sharks team with all the game breakers and talent just managed to beat an out of form Bulls side last year. If the players you mentioned comes to the table , you might be in for a huge suprize !!!!!
28 Jan 2009, 17:23 pm
#31 Blouste: I agree with you here.Our “kuk” Bulls team were in with a chance against the “all powerfull” Sharks.
Last year:
Spies was on the comeback after his illness
Habana – injured almost every game
Du Preez – played mostly with an injured hand.
#30 RAGGTOOTH:
Just because someone wasn’t in form last year, it doesn’t make them bad cover. And not being on everyones lips for half a season or one, doesn’t make them bad. It is still good depth to have someone like Wannenburg on the bench.
28 Jan 2009, 17:34 pm
#13 Tacitus:
Only problem is they have a useless coach…
28 Jan 2009, 18:00 pm
BULLS ARE AN AWSOME TEAM!
THATS WHY WE PLAYED THEM IN THE FINAL
MY ARGUEMENT WAS THT THEIR DEPTH ISNT AT THE SAME LEVEL AS THE SHARKS………LETS SPEAK THE TRUTH HERE, WOULD YOU GIVE THESE GUYS THE GREEN N GOLD JEARSEY?WANNENBURG/NEL/JULLIES/JACO/DELPORT WE ARE TALKING COVER.
OTHERWISE THERE IS NO TEAM I FEAR MORE THAN THE BULLS!!!
28 Jan 2009, 18:25 pm
#34 RAGGTOOTH:
Who was talking about green and gold. If that’s the standard you have for all your replacements, why the heck were you mentioning Kockett, Daniel, Burden, Murray, Cilliers and Albert vd Berg?
None of those players are currently good enough to make the Bok team.
For the record, I think the Sharks have excellent depth, but let’s not suddenly pretend that their entire 30-man squad is Springbok material.
28 Jan 2009, 18:56 pm
ID GIVE GREEN N GOLD TO KOCKET/DANIEL, MURRAY AND VD BERG ALREADY HAVE……..
NO NOT THE WHOLE TEAM. DO U STILL SAY BULLS HAVE MORE DEPTH?
28 Jan 2009, 19:00 pm
#36 RAGGTOOTH:
Friend, I never said the Bulls have more depth than the Sharks. All I said was that the Bulls have good cover for every position. Relax.
28 Jan 2009, 20:50 pm
#36 RAGGTOOTH:
please stop screaming!
29 Jan 2009, 01:44 am
#10 WP Till I Die: I dunno about that one dude. Do you Bulls fans know of a certain KZN team that won the Currie Cup recently. I agree the Bulls are a strong team in when it comes to depth but to say it’s the strongest of all the SA Super 14 teams is maybe a bit too far.
29 Jan 2009, 07:32 am
#37 Tacitus: OK THEN GUD LUCK FOR THIS SEASON FRIEND……..WILL KEEP IN TOUCH.
29 Jan 2009, 15:00 pm
Hope Ludeke knows what he’s doing this year, and I hope the Bulls are back to par. Sharks are not to bad I must say, and if I know Rassie, the Stormers will be even better than last year. This is going to be one hall of a season…
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