Imminent boom or sad burial?
22 Sep 2010
RYAN VREDE wonders if Bjorn Basson will develop into a world-class wing at the Bulls or bomb like some of their recent backline recruits.
On Wednesday the Bulls announced the wing’s signing from Griquas on a two-year deal that will keep him at Loftus until October 2012.
On the surface it appears to be an excellent acquisition. Basson has the pace to trouble defences, and will improve his strength and conditioning under Basil Carzis at the Bulls, amplifying his threat.
While Francois Hougaard adequately filled the void left by Bryan Habana on the wing in 2010, Basson’s arrival offers him the opportunity to play more regularly at scrumhalf – a boon for the Bulls and Springboks.
However, whether Basson elevates his play in Pretoria and in doing so increases the potency of the side, or whether he descends into a maze of mediocrity, remains to be seen.
Undoubtedly, the Bulls hope to have purchased the V6 that was on the showroom floor in Kimberley, with ambitions of souping up their investment.
They’ll have to, because they’ve purchased too many meek 1.4s in recent years.
Topping that list is Jaco Pretorius, who, in three seasons at the Bulls, has failed to replicate the superb form he showed for the Lions in 2006 and 2007.
Zane Kirchner is another who arrived from Griquas promising much, but delivering little beyond the basics. In keeping with the motoring metaphor, he’s been like a Toyota Corolla, unfailingly reliable, but hardly a wet-your-pants ride.
Both will dangle their Super Rugby and Currie Cup medals to refute the suggestion that they have been ordinary, the former’s case further supported by his Springbok call-ups in 2009 and 2010. But both were supporting cast in those domestic triumphs, and Kirchner’s limitations were brutally exposed at Test level, an assertion supported by his subsequent axing.
Basson must buck that worrying trend, and the Bulls, through their game plan, must maximise his immense potential, lest Loftus develops a reputation for being the place talented backline players go to die.
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105 Comments
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24 Sep 2010, 01:44 am
Well Zane has started running the ball back a bit. Hes trying – hes had a taste of international rugga and he wants more. Problem is – he does lack pace and a bit of that x factor.
Hes solid and should play for the bulls for years to come. Id rather have Steyn at 15 though, brings more to he table – though he also lacks outright pace.
I always thought Ruan Pienaar had all the skills for a 15, shame he never settled there – or anywhere for that matter!
As I think is mentioned above, with FDP leaving next year Basson can move to wing and Hougaard to 9.
This was a good buy from the Bulls. He wont let them down. I still rate Mvovo above him though. I must say I havent wathced nearly enough CC though, and im not sure about Mvovo’s all round abilities; but he is one hell of a ball carrier!
24 Sep 2010, 07:38 am
@groenie(groenie)-80:
How do you claim Ray Mordt as a Bulls product?
He was born in Rhodesia and represented the Boks when playing for Rhodesia.
He moved to Transvaal where he represented the Boks a good number of times including the tour to NZ.
Then he moved to Pretoria where he played out his days only representing the Boks 2x more (against South America, thanks to isolation)
He is a product of Zimbabwe/Rhodesia.
24 Sep 2010, 07:43 am
@groenie(groenie)-80:
And you left off arguably your best ever
Tom van Vollenhoven
Ok Naas and Joost may disagree
25 Sep 2010, 10:29 am
There is bugger all wrong with Zane- the only thing he lacks is a coach able to get the rest of his backline to use him.
26 Sep 2010, 14:52 pm
What a **** article Ryan. Name all the weak recruits. Pretorius was solid prior to moving to the bulls and remaines solid, he had one flash in the pan year and played springbok, never again. Secondly Zane was very prone to mistakes and was inconsistant prior to moving to the bulls. And for the x factor, either you have or you don’t. If you don’t you become technically trong and solid. Excelent defence , positioning, catching the high ball coupled with a strong boot, things he developed at the bulls. Then I also don’t believe there is to much wrong in the back line apart from and inside centre.
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