Morne to start for Bulls
10 Oct 2012
The Blue Bulls have named all seven of their Springboks in their match 22 for the clash against the Golden Lions on Saturday.
As expected, Springbok flyhalf Morne Steyn will start at Ellis Park. The player was dropped by Heyneke Meyer for the home Rugby Championship Tests against the Wallabies and All Blacks, but Bulls head coach Pine Pienaar believes he will be ready to deliver after being rested in recent weeks.
Fullback Zane Kirchner, No 8 Arno Botha, flank Jacques Potgieter and locks Flip van der Merwe and Juandre Kruger also find places in the run-on XV. Utility back Francois Hougaard features on the bench.
Blue Bulls – 15 Zane Kirchner, 14 Akona Ndungane, 13 JJ Engelbrecht, 12 Francois Venter, 11 Bjorn Basson, 10 Morne Steyn, 9 Jano Vermaak, 8 Arno Botha, 7 Jacques Potgieter, 6 Dewald Potgieter (c), 5 Flip van der Merwe, 4 Juandre Kruger, 3 Werner Kruger, 2 Willie Wepener, 1 Morne Mellett.
Subs: 16 Chiliboy Ralepelle, 17 Frik Kirsten, 18 Wilhelm Steenkamp, 19 CJ Stander, 20 Francois Hougaard, 21 Louis Fouche, 22 Dean Greyling.
20 Comments
10 Oct 2012, 12:59 pm
I count 14 Boks in that 22
Francois Venter wear the Bok 12 jersey next year
10 Oct 2012, 13:02 pm
Now thats more like it.
Bulls by 20+.
10 Oct 2012, 13:06 pm
@greatest13gerber-1:
I’ve lost some of my early enthusiasm regarding Francois Venter. While he looked great at junior level, he is not really setting the scene alight at senior level.
He runs good lines and has good general play, but I can’t help but wonder about his pace, or lack thereof. Maybe I’m wrong, and maybe a 12 doesn’t need to have pace anymore, ala Frans Steyn, but I think the jury is still out on this young man’s potential to be a Bok.
10 Oct 2012, 13:10 pm
The most impressive part about this match 22, is the strength of the bench.
Francois Hougaard
Chilliboy Rallepelle
CJ Stander
Frik Kirsten and even Dean Greyling
Not to mention Fouche who was our starting flyahlf all season, and Wilhelm Steenkamp who was our starting lock.
They can all have a massive impact in the last 30 minutes.
Whether we’ll win or not, well, who knows? This team isn’t really flying high at the moment, so I have no clue what type of performance they’ll dish up from one weekend to the next.
Very frustrating.
10 Oct 2012, 13:10 pm
If you can catch a high ball this should be a walk in the park.
Lions by 12!!!
Btw, I see the bulls have discovered that the only way to keep Dean in check is to hide him away in the reserve fullback position. Nice. Give him 15 minutes with Louis Koen and he can replace Lambie on the NH tour.
10 Oct 2012, 13:37 pm
@Tacitus-3:
Agree. Nothing special yet (and it’s his 2nd or 3rd season).
10 Oct 2012, 13:37 pm
Louis Fouche se gat gaan nou weer splinters tel.
10 Oct 2012, 13:37 pm
@greatest13gerber-1:
Big call. He’s done zip so far in senior rugby.
10 Oct 2012, 13:41 pm
Off topic. Why has Odwa always been given more chances with the Boks????
Akona to me is by far the better player (seems quicker too).
10 Oct 2012, 13:48 pm
@londonshark-9:
I’m baffled by that too. I think Akona has been more injury prone. He’s had long term problems with his shins, I believe.
10 Oct 2012, 13:52 pm
@coma-5: was about to say the same thing! Why do the bulls do that? why not just name him with the other forwards on the bench and then just move the backs up.
10 Oct 2012, 13:54 pm
@londonshark-9: different coaches.
if i am not mistaken akona played all his tests under jake and odwa played all his tests under pdv.
odwa was great over the weekend for the sharks though.
10 Oct 2012, 14:03 pm
@Sasuke-12:
Interesting (coaches thing).
Odwa is a great Currie Cup player. And a ‘squad’ Super Rugby player. His skill set has improved a massive amount since the early days (he could hardly catch back then). Fast learner.
If he had out and out pace, he would be awesome.
10 Oct 2012, 15:49 pm
@Tacitus-3:
fair points. I dont believe pace is an issue at 12. The protential is there and his defence is strong. S15 next year will be crucial for him.
@londonshark-8:
give him time. Him and Sefontein will be playing S15 next year.
10 Oct 2012, 17:31 pm
Venter has yet to play a season of superrugby as a starter…next season we will know more.
Personally i rate him the fact that the bulls pack gets beaten up almost everyweek in the cc as well as playing outside of the woefully inconsistant fouche does not help.
11 Oct 2012, 08:47 am
The development of our centres is not good enough because of the flyhalves we pick and the predetermined style our 12s have to play in. I fear this will also influence Serfontein’s development. The Bulls need to change the entire coaching team and begin with new ideas for a new era.
Rather than paying big money for Sadie, Engelbrecht, etc we need to get some big tight five forwards back. Guthro Steenkamp is no1 on my list and Danie Rossouw no2. A flyhalf that can think on his feet to make the right decisions and execute them is then no3. I am very disappointed in Fouche. His decision making is shocking.
11 Oct 2012, 08:49 am
@Brigadier Van Zyl-15: Venter has recently been the bright spark for the Bulls. He is very strong for a U21 player and his distribution skills is good, although not developing.
11 Oct 2012, 09:21 am
@Horings-16:
agreed.
danie rossouw is an unsung hero who quietly went about his work in the trenches and lost no hunger warming the bench year after year… after year….
gurthro too would be a good investment to bring back.
also agreed on the development, not so much of the centers themselves, but of the skill set and abiltiy to play a different game plan / style of play.
bulls need a ‘thinking’ scrummie too.
11 Oct 2012, 10:52 am
Hougaard is on the bench for the Bulls, but is the starting 11 for the Boks. Hmmmm, interesting.
12 Oct 2012, 15:32 pm
Hougaard is a scrum half.
I rate the Ndugane twins but they would be behind Basson, Habana, Mvovo,Pietersen,Aplon & Ludik for a bok winger role imo
maybe even play taute there ahead of them..harsh but true.. In 2009they should.have both been there. Pietersen was off form and Aplon was just coming through
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