BULLS 2010
Tue, 30 Jan 2007 07:08
BULLS 2010
The Bulls did not enjoy a happy time of it in the ten years of the Super 12. They made the play-offs only twice in the decade and lost both semi-finals. They ended in eleventh position twice and came a miserable stone last on the log three times.
But since the Super 12 grew into the Super 14 in 2006, the Bulls have been - with the exception of a disappointing 2008 - one of the premier teams in the competition, finishing fourth, then first, then tenth, and then in 2009 first again. They won finals against the Sharks in 2007 and the Chiefs last year.
They now have the continuity in personnel and pattern of play which must be the envy of many of their rivals. They have established systems which need only to be well-executed to make them strong contenders to win the Super 14 again.
In Victor Matfield and Fourie du Preez they boast two of the most influential players in the world. Add to that the battle-hardened experience offered by stalwarts such as Danie Rossouw, Wynand Olivier and Gary Botha, the boot of Morné Steyn, and the rare brilliance of Pierre Spies, and you have the core of a very formidable team.
There is also a group of capable, solid players to back them up, and emerging stars like Zane Kirchner, Dewald Potgieter, Deon Stegmann, Heini Adams and Francois Hougaard, complemented by potential bolters such as Stefan Watermeyer and Gerhard van den Heever, to support this leadership group.
The Bulls have developed a winning habit which will stand them in good stead when the going gets tough, as it will, away from home particularly.
Strengths: They start the Super 14 with a game in Bloemfontein and then two in Pretoria, which means they have the opportunity to have gained momentum before they fly to Australasia. They have a strong pack and a halfback pair who can dominate a game. Consistent quality performance will be their key to defending their title
Weaknesses: Poor performances overseas have sometimes over the years ruined the Bulls campaign. This remains a potential issue but with the international experience of the leadership group of players, it is to be hoped that they can avoid a campaign-debilitating four weeks in Australasia. The departure of Habana leaves a mammoth hole to fill. Ndungane has experience and Mametsa is solid, but neither is even remotely the match-winning factor that Habana was. Of course Gerhard van den Heever could come through.
Noteworthy signings: Springbok hooker Gary Botha (returning to the Bulls from London Harlequins), tight-head prop Bees Roux (from Griquas Currie Cup team and Cheetahs in the Super 14), fly half Jacques-Louis Potgieter (Cheetahs), former Springbok Jaco van der Westhuyzen (fly half or full back, from Japanese club NEC Green Rockets). Former Western Province and Stormers stalwart, De Wet Barry is in the pre-season squad and could strengthen the depth at centre. He has played for London Harlequins and the Mighty Elephants in recent years and has 39 Test caps.
Noteworthy losses: The big loss is Bryan Habana to the Stormers. Fly half Burton Francis and utility back Marius Delport (to the Lions), flank Jacques Burger (to Saracens), centre JP Nel (to IBM Big Blue in Japan)
Coach: In Frans Ludeke's first year as Bulls coach they finished a very disappointing tenth on the log, but in his second year his team won the Super 14 in spectacular fashion, scoring a crushing 61-17 victory over the Chiefs in the final, and then went on to win the Currie Cup.
Captain: Victor Matfield is renowned in world rugby not only as one of the great lock-forwards of his generation but also for the intellect he brings to winning line-out ball - on his team's ball as well as in disrupting and stealing opposition ball. As Bulls captain and Springbok stand-in skipper when John Smit is not on the field, he has earned respect internationally as a captain. The Bulls are fortunate indeed to have him in their fold as a lock and their leader.
Potential bolters: Gerhard van den Heever has been earmarked to take over from Bryan Habana on the wing and he has the blistering pace to make the position his own. The 20-year old flyer exudes class and has the potential to become a great finisher and to score many tries for the Bulls. Stefan Watermeyer, a former Blue Bulls Craven Week captain who played two years SA Schools, has played most of his rugby at outside centre but is now playing mostly at inside centre. The 21 year old has the footballing skills to make a big impression if he is given sufficient game-time.
2009 Position: 1st
Best finish: Super 14 Winners in 2007 and 2009
Worst finish: 12th in the Super 12 (1999, 2001, 2002)
Home
Venue: Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria (Capacity 50,000)
2010 Prospects: The Bulls have the calibre of player, the depth in key positions, the wisdom in leadership, and the experience of winning the really big games, to successfully defend their title. But it will be even tougher than in 2010 since they are now the team to beat - the champions every opposition team will be desperate to knock off their perch.
Bulls squad (provisional): Zane Kirchner, Jaco van der Westhuyzen, Tiger Mangweni, Akona Ndungane, Gerhard van den Heever, John Mametsa, Wynand Olivier, Jaco Pretorius, Stephan Dippenaar, Stefan Watermeyer, Morné Steyn, Jacques-Louis Potgieter, Fourie du Preez, Heini Adams, Francois Hougaard, Pierre Spies, Dewald Potgieter, Deon Stegmann, Pedrie Wannenburg, Derick Kuün, Victor Matfield, Bakkies Botha, Danie Rossouw, Flip van der Merwe, Fudge Mabeta, Wilhelm Steenkamp, Jaco Engels, Gurthro Steenkamp, Werner Kruger,
Bees Roux, Frik Kirsten, Dean Greyling, Gary Botha, Bandise Maku
Update: The Bulls have not announced a Super 14 squad but their selection for their Round One game gives an indication of Frans Ludeke's thinking:
15 Zane Kirchner, 14 Gerhard van den Heever, 13 Jaco Pretorius, 12 Wynand Olivier, 11 Francois Hougaard, 10 Morné Steyn, 9 Fourie du Preez, 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.
16 Bandise Maku, 17 Bees Roux, 18 Flip van der Merwe, 19 Derick Kuün, 20 Heini Adams, 21 Jacques-Louis Potgieter, 22 Stephan Dippenaar.
Schedule:
Friday 12 February: v Cheetahs, away
Saturday 20 February: v Brumbies, home
Saturday 27 February: v Waratahs, home
Saturday 13 March: v Highlanders, home
Friday 19 March: v Hurricanes, home
Saturday 27 March: v Western Force, away
Saturday 3 April: v Blues, away
Friday 9 April: v Chiefs, away
Saturday 17 April: v Reds, away
Saturday 24 April: v Lions, home
Saturday 1 May: v Sharks, home
Friday 7 May: v Crusaders, home
Saturday 15 May: v Stormers, away
By Len Kaplan
