The Carlton league finalists and Loftus 200 team will have the opportunity to test their mettle against quality international opposition when Israeli side, the Tel Aviv Heat, will tour South Africa during March 2022 and play three matches against ABE Midas Naka Bulle, Northam Rhinos and Loftus 200!

 

 

According to Mr. Willem Strauss, President of the Blue Bulls Rugby Union, this is a great opportunity to reward the best semi-professional players in the Bulls club structures.

 

“Club rugby is a priority of our administration and in which all of our stakeholders, shareholders, Jake White, Edgar Rathbone, and sponsors, etc. has bought into,” said Strauss.

 

The Tel Aviv Heat competes in the Europe Super Cup Competition and has a number of South Africans such as Josh Strauss and Nic Groom, among others, playing for them. The team is also coached by a South African, Kevin Musikanth, who led the Ikeys to Varsity Cup glory in 2014.

 

According to Musikanth: “It’s truly fantastic to be able to be invited by the Blue Bulls Rugby Union to tour and give our talented squad exposure in one of the strongest rugby regions globally. This will be an amazing momentum-builder for our new franchise as we prepare for the upcoming Rugby Europe Super Cup season.

 

“We cannot wait to play against top clubs and, of course, the opportunity to play against the Loftus 200 team as a tour finale. We are very grateful for this opportunity from the Blue Bulls Rugby Union.”

 

The teams will contest the Robert Denton Cup in honour of the late Blue Bulls Rugby Union administrator who recently passed away.

 

The coaching staff for the Loftus 200 team consists of Morné Human (Head Coach: ABE Midas Naka Bulle), Flip de Kock (Northam Rhinos) and Danie “Tokkelos” Coetzee (former Vodacom Bulls and Springbok hooker) who is involved with Tuine Grizzlies Rugby Club.

 

The itinerary for the Tel Aviv Heat is as follows:

19 March versus Northam Rhinos at Northam 

23 March versus ABE Midas Naka Bulle at Naka Bulle

26 March versus Loftus 200 at Loftus Versfeld

 

According to Dr Eugene Hare, Chief Executive Officer of the BBRU, the 2022 addition of the Carlton League will kick-off on the 7 May 2022.

 

“After last season’s thrilling competition, we look forward to another exciting competition this year,” said Hare.

The Blue Bulls Company (Pty) Ltd on Monday confirmed that loose forward Arno Botha will leave the franchise at the end of the 2017 Vodacom Super Rugby season. Botha will link up with Ulster.

The High Performance Manager of the BBC, Xander Janse van Rensburg, said that Botha, who has played for the Vodacom Bulls 46 times in his career so far, will finish the 2017 Vodacom Super Rugby season with the team before joining up with the Irish. “Arno received a very good offer from Ulster. We have been in constant discussions with Arno about his future since 2016.

“We want to thank him for his contribution, we are thankful and proud of what he has done. The situation is that we can’t financially make an offer close to what he’s currently earning. Luckily we have great players coming through that we will be investing in,” Janse van Rensburg said.

“He is still a big player for us in the coming months and we are expecting some meaningful contributions from him as we embark on a tough Vodacom Super Rugby campaign.”

Janse van Rensburg wished Botha well. “We know he will be successful with Ulster. He is a very professional player. Both parties are in unison that it’s the best move for him at this stage of his career.”

Botha said he was comfortable with the decision. “I have achieved such a lot with the Vodacom Bulls and will give my all to help the team to try and win the Vodacom Super Rugby title in 2017, something that has eluded me so far in my career. I am only leaving at the end of the campaign and is highly motivated to deliver for the team. The decision to move to Ulster was taken after considerable thought from my side and I feel it is the right time in my career to feel what rugby in the Northern Hemisphere is all about. Till then, I am as passionate about the Bulls as I have ever been.”

For more information, please call Xander Janse van Rensburg at 072 197 3136.

Former Junior Springboks captain and no8, Hanro Liebenberg, will lead the Vodacom Blue Bulls in Cape Town on Friday when they take on DHL Western Province in the opening match of the Currie Cup Qualifying series.

Only a couple of players in the squad named by coach Hendré Marnitz have played at this level.

The likes of Callie Visagie, Deon Stegmann and Luther Obi will provide experience though.

“Yes, we are a young team with not much experience, but there is massive potential and ability,” Marnitz said.

“It is a tough start, away from home against a team that performed very well in the competition in recent years, so we will be asked tough questions. I am confident that we will be very competitive,” Marnitz said.

Liebenberg echoed the sentiment.

“If you are good enough, you are old enough. This is a group of able and willing players. They all can play the game at a high level and is keen and proud to represent the Blue Bulls. We will give our best.”