Bulls change for Blues battle

Bulls change for Blues battle

7 Mar 2013

Bulls coach Frans Ludeke has gone for big changes before his team tackles the Bulls.

The front row looks completely different with starts handed to both Willie Wepener and Frik Kirsten, Chiliboy Ralapelle and Werner Kruger taking their spots on the bench. The loosies also see change with Deon Stegmann replacing Jacques Potgieter, who drops to the bench while Arno Botha retains his spot.

The changes continue into the backline with Jano Vermaak getting his first start in a long time ahead of Hougaard. JJ Engelbrecht returns to join up with Wynand Olivier in the midfield, pushing Lionel Mapoe out onto the wing. Akona Ndungane is also back in the mix, replacing Sampie Mastriet, while Mapoe fills the gap left by the injured Basson.

The bench sees all the players dropped from the starting fifteen with the exception of Jürgen Visser, who comes on in place of Jan Serfontein who is not in the match 22.

Making wholesale changes to a team before an important first tour match against the Blues is questionable, but after their opening 60 minute performance against the Force, change could be exactly what is needed.

Bulls: 15 Zane Kirchner, 14 Akona Ndungane, 13 JJ Engelbrecht, 12 Wynand Olivier, 11 Lionel Mapoe, 10 Mornè Steyn, 9 Jano Vermaak, 8 Pierre Spies (captain), 7 Arno Botha, 6 Deon Stegmann, 5 Juandrè Kruger, 4 Flip van der Merwe, 3 Frik Kirsten, 2 Willie Wepener, 1 Mornè Mellett. Substitutes: 16 Chiliboy Ralepelle, 17 Werner Kruger, 18 Grant Hattingh, 19 Jacques Potgieter, 20 Francois Hougaard, 21 Louis Fouché, 22 Jürgen Visser.

By Richard Ferguson


40 Comments

  • 1.Brigadier Van Zyl: Reply to this comment
    7 Mar 2013, 10:42 am

    better changes, except for Akona and Serfontein.
    Is Mastriet injured?
    Also, I’d like to have seen Serfontein on the bench.

    but Ludeke is keeping it fresh, it is a long season and last year the bulls wheels just came off towards the end.

    Flip has been getting his hands on the ball as well which is a plus for me these past few weeks. He always seems to get over the advantage line in contact. The balance of the backrow looks very exciting and I am hoping this jurgen visser gets some time as he also looks full of running. Bench looks very strong to me with genuine impact.

    this game is on Sunday….after Church. I hope these Blues okes know what they are in for.

  • 2.Tacitus: Reply to this comment
    7 Mar 2013, 10:50 am

    @Brigadier Van Zyl-1:

    Don’t think I’m going to watch. Will PVR it. Don’t want to start my Sunday that way.

  • 3.Saffex: Reply to this comment
    7 Mar 2013, 10:59 am

    Visser should have replaced Kirchner, Mastriet should have played ahead of Ndungane. Serfontein should have played ahead of Olivier, what the hell is Vermaak doing ahead of Houhaard.

    How can he possibly replace Chiliboy with the useless Willie Wepner. Its also about time Jeandre Kruger got the boot as he has done nothing for some time. Play Paul Willemse or Jacques du Plessis.

    The only good changes are Frik Kirsten at 3, JJ at 13 and Mapoe moving to wing.

    This Bulls side is playing boring conservative rugby. I have a feeling the Blues are going to give them a smack

  • 4.Brads: Reply to this comment
    7 Mar 2013, 11:00 am

    @Brigadier Van Zyl-1:
    What has church got to do with all this?

    But regards whether the Blue’s team know what they are in store for. I suspect they will be well briefed.

    Quite honestly, I can’t see the Bulls being in the game even at half time based on what we have seen in the first 2 weeks.

  • 5.Brigadier Van Zyl: Reply to this comment
    7 Mar 2013, 11:07 am

    @Saffex-3:

    I’m guessing they want to keep Olivier at 12 for a while longer for continuety reasons. otherwise you would have a new 12,13,14 and 11 combo.

    weepenaar has been pretty good and the bulls looked a little more organized once vermaak came on last weekend. But I think this is just squad rotation.

    agree on juandre…he needs to start putting his back into it.

  • 6.Brigadier Van Zyl: Reply to this comment
    7 Mar 2013, 11:10 am

    I’m actually feeling quite positive about this game.

    based on no evidence whatsoever.

    got to beat the Blues in nz sometime right?
    why not on a sunday.
    hell, my kinfolk will turn it into a public holiday like Bloodriver or something.

  • 7.Hondo: Reply to this comment
    7 Mar 2013, 11:12 am

    Dropping Chiliboi and sending Mapoe to the wing were definitly called for, not sure what the issue with Hougaard though.
    The back row combo is too soft, Hattingh was a loose forward with the Lions and should have started with Botha and Steggie
    The Bulls’ B(l)ack Three are a joke , the PIs maneaters will have a celebration there and maybe they’ll toatal one or two of those tokens
    There won’t be any upset for sure, Jason Jafta won’t be there to offer the Bulls a life line
    Sad ;)

  • 8.catchlightuk.com: Reply to this comment
    7 Mar 2013, 11:24 am

    Vermaak in for Hougaard is a good move. Vermaak has one of the best passes which will hopefully help get the backline going. Hougaard can make the most of his explosiveness coming off the bench. Would have preferred him on the wing though instead of Akona.

    I’m not a WO fan, but he does well in Super Rugby. I’m glad that the bulls staff aren’t rushing in Serfontein.

  • 9.hendrikp: Reply to this comment
    7 Mar 2013, 11:36 am

    Not sure why they bother bringing Jan Serfontein on tour if they’re not going to use him. Surely he’d be better off playing Varsity or Vodacom Cup.

    I like Jano Vermaak ahead of Francois Hougaard. He’s snappy and plays with the right competitive attitude. Allows Francois Hougaard to be used in his best position – impact player.

    Blues will beat them though.

  • 10.stormersboy: Reply to this comment
    7 Mar 2013, 11:37 am

    I have always rated Jano. He’s a better scrumhalf (though not a better athlete) than Hougaard IMO.

    The reason he hasn’t kicked on at the Bulls is primarily due to him not getting enough game time in the primary setup.

  • 11.Hondo: Reply to this comment
    7 Mar 2013, 11:37 am

    Highlanders Vs Cheetahs
    No upset, Highlanders by 20+

    Bulls at the Blues
    No upset, Blues by 16-19

    The Tahs at the Brumbies
    Difficult to predict, a Kiwi ref is truely a nuetral here, I’ll go with the Sidney lot because my sister lives there and I don’t like JW a bit.
    Tahs by 7 to 10.

    Sharks at the Kings
    Jaftha is becoming a force to reckon with , the Sharks will start with a 20 points deficit while Lambie’s now regressing, will be close
    Sharks by 5 to 7

    Chiefs at the Stormers
    Peyper ‘the crook’ will outwight Jantjies’ damage by 10+ points for the Stormers, add the jet lag, long flight fatigue and home field advantage, the Stormwers may edge it.
    Stormers by 3 to 6

  • 12.cane: Reply to this comment
    7 Mar 2013, 11:42 am

    Blues by 20 points.

    Why.
    Simple………………………………..they are fooken good.

  • 13.David: Reply to this comment
    7 Mar 2013, 11:43 am

    “Bulls coach Frans Ludeke has gone for big changes before his team tackles the Bulls.”

    @Richard
    So, the Bulls are playing with themselves? Are they allowed to show that on DSTV? :lol:

  • 14.Dilligafrican: Reply to this comment
    7 Mar 2013, 11:52 am

    Good side.

    Will still get snotted by the Blues.

  • 15.Dilligafrican: Reply to this comment
    7 Mar 2013, 11:52 am

    @David-13: No man, Ludeke is a Blues supporter.

  • 16.MacroBull: Reply to this comment
    7 Mar 2013, 11:53 am

    @Saffex-3: I thought Willie made a good impact when he came on vs the force.

    Also agree Vermaak would be a good replacement… but thats how i felt when we played the blues last year …

  • 17.Hop Hop Spinnekop: Reply to this comment
    7 Mar 2013, 11:59 am

    The problem here is that Vermaak will only have an “ok” game. Then will be replaced in the next match by Hougaard (out of form since early 2012). Vermaak needs game time and I hope Ludeke gives him that chance.

  • 18.cane: Reply to this comment
    7 Mar 2013, 12:03 pm

    Hore Thread Update:
    The 29,000 has gone.
    “There’s Something About Stormers” claimed the honour.

  • 19.Scorp1o: Reply to this comment
    7 Mar 2013, 12:05 pm

    Humdinger of the Weekend time! Last weekend I got it spot on with Sharks by 5 – 8. Lets see if I got this weekends game right again?

    wp.me/P2QxT1-5x

  • 20.xtremebull: Reply to this comment
    7 Mar 2013, 12:10 pm

    Jurgen will start somewhere in this tourney

  • 21.Transformation: Reply to this comment
    7 Mar 2013, 12:24 pm

    hondo has spoken…

    :D

  • 22.Hondo: Reply to this comment
    7 Mar 2013, 12:28 pm

    Ladbrookes of London put the Bulls odds at 16:1!
    But few takers only
    So much so for the proud 2007/9/10 Champs
    The Stormers odds are 10:11, pretty close call and Ladbrookes are well informed,
    they don’t use Keo or Gavin Rich as their advisers, it means they took the Peyper factor into account too
    ;)

  • 23.shane_keohane: Reply to this comment
    7 Mar 2013, 12:32 pm

    RT @keocoza: Bulls change for Blues battle: Bulls coach Frans Ludeke has gone for big changes for Blues match http://t.co/tcMVE6Som5

  • 24.Sasuke: Reply to this comment
    7 Mar 2013, 12:35 pm

    Bulls preparing for a snotklap by sending their canon fodder out. Will be an interesting game to watch early Sunday morning.

  • 25.John1976: Reply to this comment
    7 Mar 2013, 12:44 pm

    @Hondo-22: I will have some of the 16:1, that an excellent value bet, coupled with the highlanders to win.

  • 26.Transformation: Reply to this comment
    7 Mar 2013, 12:47 pm

    ranger, piutau, halai to cause damage if game is open from the get. not sure if jj & meisiekind are a more solid defensive combo

  • 27.mark_keohane: Reply to this comment
    7 Mar 2013, 12:48 pm

    Bulls change for Blues battle http://t.co/xpOl0lChN2 via @sharethis so disappointed Serfontein is not in match 22.

  • 28.shane_keohane: Reply to this comment
    7 Mar 2013, 12:49 pm

    RT @mark_keohane: Bulls change for Blues battle http://t.co/xpOl0lChN2 via @sharethis so disappointed Serfontein is not in match 22.

  • 29.John1976: Reply to this comment
    7 Mar 2013, 12:51 pm

    @Transformation-25: I am backing all South African teams, against foreign opposition, this weekend except Freestate

  • 30.Dilligafrican: Reply to this comment
    7 Mar 2013, 12:54 pm

    @John1976-26: Why not FS? Coenie give you a PK in the Mystic Boer?

  • 31.Charlie Naude: Reply to this comment
    7 Mar 2013, 13:27 pm

    @Hondo-22: Give us a web address. I’ve been searching the internet for those odds, best I can cat is 3.5:1 !!!!!!!

  • 32.Saffex: Reply to this comment
    7 Mar 2013, 16:49 pm

    Hougaard, Chiliboy and Werner Kruger are all carrying injuries and therefore not starting.

    Hougaard is a far better 9 than Vermaak. Hougaard’s service this year has been the best of all the SA 9′s on display. Part of Morne’s revival has been as a result of the sharp accurate service he has received from Hougaard. It has given Morne time on the ball. We do however need to see Hougaards attacking skills on display. With ball in hand, there is no scrummie to touch him, but I’m guessing his attacking flair is being thawed by the conservative Bulls kicking game.

    Its complete madness that Serfontein is not on the bench. I’d start him but leaving him off the bench is stupid.

  • 33.Saffex: Reply to this comment
    7 Mar 2013, 16:51 pm

    @Marco

    I dont rate Wille Wepner at all. Why on earth are the Bulls not using Callie Visagie from the Lions, he is a quality young hooker

  • 34.wpallday: Reply to this comment
    7 Mar 2013, 17:15 pm

    Yes ,the Bulls have been **** but I must say I see them maybe winning this weekend .The Blues will know what to expect and have the help of Henry, but does one week prep really make up for the lackluster attitude they will have when defending the competitions best maul?

  • 35.Tuna: Reply to this comment
    7 Mar 2013, 19:06 pm

    Ranger’s wheels will come off sometime during this campaign.

  • 36.xtremebull: Reply to this comment
    7 Mar 2013, 20:15 pm

    This will be a sad week for our saffas lol… Only the sharks seem likely to win this week… Blues to upset us and chiefs to make newlands their own at least it looks like it on paper but maybe the cheetahs to sneak it imo… STRONGS to our saffas we so need it this weekend…

  • 37.skopdiekan: Reply to this comment
    7 Mar 2013, 22:21 pm

    I like Honest Hondo’s picks I reckon he sees the real McKenzies from the Fake Goolongongalong pricks.

  • 38.kwas: Reply to this comment
    8 Mar 2013, 06:19 am

    Cape Crusaders will be out in all their might at Newlands on Saturday spewing their hatred against the Stormers. To top it all off the Chiefs will pummel the Habana and Bekker show ponies.

  • 39.i_love_u_bakkiesbotha: Reply to this comment
    8 Mar 2013, 07:59 am

    @Hondo-11:
    thanks Hondo, i’ll give it a go.

    landers
    blues
    tahs
    sharks
    stormers

  • 40.mallas: Reply to this comment
    8 Mar 2013, 08:53 am

    Any idea why Francois Venter was left out of the touring squad?
    I reckon he will look for more gametime elsewhere, maybe follow Sadie to his native Bloem…..

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