Bulls' best out for opener
Tue, 09 Feb 2010 13:18
Blue legacy: Bulls captain Victor Matfield
Fourteen players that represented the Bulls in the final of last year's Super 14 competition, will again front up for the men in blue when they kick off the defence of their title in an all-South African derby against the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein on Friday.
Victor Matfield will lead an experience bunch of players on the field, with all 22 having had Super 14 experience.
There is a return for Springbok Gary Botha, who last played for the Bulls in the 2007 Final and to make his return more special, Botha will play in his 50th match for the Bulls.
Matfield expressed his delight on Botha's return.
"Gary is such a great team man," Matfield told a media gathering in Pretoria.
"He is also a very strong leader and brings plenty of experience with him. His input about our scrumming will hopefully also help us to improve in that department."
Jacques-Louis Potgieter, who last played for the Bulls in 2007, Bees Roux and Flip van der Merwe are three former Cheetahs players that will challenge their former team from the bench.
Coach Frans Ludeke was quick to point out though that none of them brought any trade secrets from Bloemfontein, especially Potgieter, who starred for the home side last year.
"The local teams know each other so well by know, there is actually not much to tell," Ludeke said.
"The Cheetahs and Bulls always seem to bring out the best in each other, as was seen in the last couple of years. Both want to dominate and that is no secret," Ludeke said.
He indicated his side will be up for the defence of their title.
"Our preparations went well and we are happy that we will start the competition with the right frame of mind and body."
There are also a few milestones for the Bulls.
First there is Pedrie Wannenburg, who will play in his 99th game for the Bulls.
At hooker Gary Botha will play in his 50th game for the Bulls.
Roux and Van der Merwe, when called upon, will make their debut for the Bulls. Both have played Super 14 rugby for the Cheetahs before.
Botha (2007) and Potgieter (2007) return to the Bulls fray after two seasons away from the team.
Bulls: 15 Zane Kirchner, 14 Gerhard van den Heever, 13 Jaco Pretorius, 12 Wynand Olivier, 11 Francois Hougaard, 10 Morné Steyn, 9 Fourie du Preez (vice-captain), 8 Pierre Spies, 7 Pedrie Wannenburg, 6 Deon Stegmann, 5 Victor Matfield (captain), 4 Danie Rossouw, 3 Werner Kruger, 2 Gary Botha, 1 Gurthrö Steenkamp.
Replacements: 16 Bandise Maku, 17 Bees Roux, 18 Flip van der Merwe, 19 Derick Kuün, 20 Heini Adams, 21 Jacques-Louis Potgieter, 22 Stephan Dippenaar.
Date: Friday, February 12
Venue: Vodacom Park, Bloemfontein
Kick-off: 19.10 (17.10 GMT)
Referee: Jonathan Kaplan
Assistant referee: Marius Jonker, Reuben Rossouw
TMO: Shaun Veldsman
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