Steyn returns for Vodacom Super Rugby opener

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The Vodacom Bulls have named a strong matchday squad for their Vodacom Super Rugby season opener against the Cell C Sharks at Jonsson Kings Park on Friday, 31 January 2020.

The team welcomes back flyhalf Morné Steyn who last played for the Pretoria outfit in 2013 and is the only three time Vodacom Super Rugby champion that remains within the South African circuit.

Steyn is joined by two 2019 Rugby World Cup winners in fullback Warrick Gelant and prop Trevor Nyakane.

They are joined by no.8 Josh Strauss, flank Jeandré Rudolph, lock Andries Ferreira and replacement loose forward Wian Vosloo who will be running out for their first cap for the Vodacom Bulls while replacement lock Ryno Pieterse will make his Vodacom Super Rugby debut off the bench.

The rest of the team includes four Springboks in scrumhalves Ivan van Zyl and Embrose Papier with Cornal Hendricks to flex his speed on the wing, with lock Juandré Kruger adding some grunt to the engine room

Vodacom Bulls head coach, Pote Human, has also opted to select the same 6/2 split between the forwards and backs on the bench as the Springboks did during their successful Rugby World Cup campaign last season.

“We have enjoyed a strong preseason with few injuries which has allowed us to select our strongest available team to take on a well-oiled Cell C Sharks outfit,” said Vodacom Bulls head coach, Pote Human.

History favours the visitors with the Vodacom Bulls securing eight wins and a draw in their last nine matches against the Durban team.

“We have a job to do in Durban and we are not taking it lightly. The Cell C Sharks have proved time and time again that they are a dangerous team if underestimated. We are going into the match with level heads and a battle plan in hand.”

Kick-off is 19h10.

Vodacom Bulls:

  1. Warrick Gelant, 14. Cornal Hendricks, 13. Johnny Kotze, 12. Burger Odendaal (C),
  2. Rosko Specman, 10. Morné Steyn, 9. Ivan van Zyl, 8. Josh Strauss, 7. Abongile Nonkontwana, 6. Jeandré Rudolph, 5. Juandré Kruger, 4. Andries Ferreira, 3. Wiehahn Herbst, 2. Jaco Visagie, 1. Lizo Gqoboka

Replacements:16. Johan Grobbelaar, 17. Simphiwe Matanzima, 18. Trevor Nyakane, 19. Ruan Nortje, 20. Ryno Pieterse, 21. Wian Vosloo, 22. Embrose Papier, 23. Manie Libbok

After World Cup, Brits is ready to make new memories

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Schalk Brits is still revelling in the memory of the Springboks’ 2019 Rugby World Cup triumph. But it is a measure of Brits as a man that his most treasured memories have nothing to do with the William Webb Ellis Trophy. Instead, they involve a tent, a rugby field, and his three young boys.

As entries open for the 2020 Vodacom Father and Son Campout a day after Vodacom Super Rugby kicked off another “superpowered” season in partnership with Marvel at the Vodacom Super Hero Sunday extravaganza in Soweto, Brits was amongst the first to book his tent and a place in what has become the most sought-after experience for rugby-loving dads and their sons. Even if they’re Springboks.

“I experienced my first Vodacom Father and Son Camp Out last year and it was absolutely phenomenal,” says Brits as he looks forward to this year’s experience on the main field at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 March. This unique event is exclusive to Vodacom Red clients.

“I have three boys all under the age of 10, and they loved it. I also loved it because I always feel a team should never isolate its players from the fans, and at an event like this I wasn’t just a player but also a dad sharing special memories with other dads. It’s an unbelievable experience.

“It’s not only a memory for the boys, but for me as well. We all know time is short. When you lie on your deathbed, you won’t remember what you achieved, but who you achieved it with. Those memories are what’s important to me.”

Brits returns to Loftus Versfeld as very much a “normal” dad having retired from rugby after the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan.

The theme for this year’s campout is #BeAPresentDad, and it’s something Brits can certainly relate to.

“I will always be thankful for my dad running with me at 5am so I could stay fit for rugby. He’d pull on the tekkies and do the run with me, and then he’d go to work. It’s a choice to be a dad, and making the time to be with my boys is precious to me.”

To register for the Vodacom Father and Son Campout brought to you by Vodacom ONE Family, visit www.redrewards.co.za.

 

Vodacom #SuperHeroSunday: #Bullsfamily balanced and exciting team

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The Vodacom Bulls have announced their matchday team for #SuperHeroSunday that includes a World Champion, Blitzboks, Vodacom Super Rugby stalwarts and several youthful players who will front up against the Emirates Lions at the FNB Stadium on Sunday, 19 January 2020.

Veteran Springbok flyhalf Morné Steyn will face South African opposition for the first time in seven seasons and will lead a backline that consists of three Springboks and a Blitzbok, in Warrick Gelant, Cornal Hendricks, Ivan van Zyl and Rosko Specman.

The forwards also boast international experience with Scottish capped no.8 Josh Strauss controlling the back of the scrum and Springbok lock Juandré Kruger powering the engine room.

The bench is also loaded with international quality such as Embrose Papier, Dylan Sage and Tim Agaba. Fans can also expect the unleashing of a few exciting and hungry youngsters like loose forward Muller Uys starting in the seven jersey, and Chris Smith together with Ryno Pieterse making an impact of the bench.

Kick-off is 15h15.

Vodacom Bulls: 15. Warrick Gelant, 14. Johnny Kotze, 13. Cornal Hendricks, 12. Burger Odendaal (C), 11. Rosko Specman, 10. Morné Steyn, 9. Ivan van Zyl, 8. Josh Strauss, 7. Muller Uys, 6. Wian Vosloo, 5. Juandré Kruger, 4. Andries Ferreira, 3. Wiehahn Herbst, 2. Jaco Visagie, 1. Simphiwe Matanzima.

Replacements: 16. Johan Grobbelaar, 17. Gerhard Steenekamp, 18. Mornay Smith, 19. Ryno Pieterse, 20. Ruan Nortje/Jean Droste, 21. Embrose Papier, 22. Chris Smith, 23. Divan Rossouw, 24. Dylan Sage, 25. Manie Libbok, 26. Jeandré Rudolph, 27. Abongile Nonkontwana, 28. Tim Agaba.

Vodacom Blue Bulls XV to test depth against Emirates Lions

The Vodacom Blue Bulls XV will face a Emirates Lions in preseason warm-up match on Loftus B field on Friday, 17 January 2020.

Kick-off is 14:00.

Vodacom Blue Bulls XV: 15. Richard Kriel, 14. Jade Stighling, 13. Marnus Potgieter,12. Franco Naude, 11. Sebastiaan Jobb, 10. David Coetzer, 9. Marco Jansen van Vuren, 8. Ewan Coetzee, 7. Adre Smith, 6. Ruan Steenkamp (C), 5. Jean Droste, 4. Ian Groenewald, 3. Madot Mabokela, 2. Louis van der Westhuizen, 1. Dayan van der Westhuizen.

Replacements: 16. Corniel Els, 17. Kudzwai Dube, 18. Eduan Swart, 19. Carl Els, 20. Janko Swanepoel, 21. Jaco Labuschangne, 22. Phillip Potgieter, 23. Keagan Johannes, 24. Vaughen Isaacs, 25. Dawid Kellerman, 26. Diego Appollis, 27. Jay-Cee Nel.

 

AGDA to launch at AAT

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The much-anticipated Agriculture Development Agency will be officially launched at the Africa Agri Tech Conference and Expo (AAT) on 18 February 2020, to be held at the Maslow Hotel, Times Square, Menlyn Main in Pretoria.

The launch of the Agriculture Development Agency (AGDA) will also serve as the opening event of the AAT conference, which will run from 18 – 20 February and cover topics ranging from the local and international agricultural economy and access to capital, to mitigating drought conditions through sustainable climate sensitive agriculture as well as developing intra African trade in agricultural products.

AGDA is part of the Public Private Growth Initiative (PPGI), which was established in April 2018 under the leadership of Dr Johan van Zyl, CEO and President of Toyota in Europe. Van Zyl was inspired by President Cyril Ramaphosa’s famous Thuma Mina call in January 2018 and based the PPGI on the hugely successful Japanese economic model. The aim is to align strategic planning between government and the private sector, in the interest of improving economic growth and the manner in which government and business work together.

There are more than 20 sectors identified by the PPGI for specific focus. These include Agriculture; Tourism; Automotive; Chemicals; Manufacturing; Energy and Renewable Energy; Construction; Pharmaceutical; Mining; Retail; ICT; Health; and Insurance. These sectors are all developing comprehensive five-year growth plans, which aim at accelerating economic growth and job creation.

The specific aims of AGDA are intended to promote greater social justice by creating enablers that will help drive sustainable land reform programmes and contribute to changing land ownership patterns in our country.

In this regard, Mr Roelf Meyer of In Transformation Initiative, which is one of the main drivers of this project, drew attention to the main objectives of the Agency, which are to promote and support access to agricultural land by black/emerging farmers, and to support the use of agricultural land and infrastructure development so as to promote land reform and food security in the country. Meyer highlighted that AGDA has the specific purpose not only to pursue these noble objectives, but also to ensure the provision of appropriate training, as well as support and assistance to emerging farmers to improve capacity and access to agricultural markets in particular.

“It is only through the pursuit of such objectives in partnership with government, focussing on a more vigorous pursuit of the noble objectives the national land reform programme, that the market failures and imperfections in building an inclusive, dynamic and competitive agricultural sector, to enable all our people who have ambitions to work in agriculture can be achieved,” Meyer said.

Ms Gloria Serobe, CEO of WipCapital and also one of the leading inspirations and contributors to the creation of AGDA remarked that, “the Agricultural Development Agency must have a well-developed social conscience and it must be institutionalised in a manner that will ensure it is always dedicated to such imperatives.”

Governance of AGDA will be led by a board constituted of an equal number of representatives from Government and the private sector, working together to achieve the common goal of sustainable and accelerated land reform to the benefit of South Africa and all its people.

For more information and interview opportunities contact:

Malcolm Ferguson 082 850 7084, mf30@mweb.co.za
Leona Archary 082 577 5551, Leona.Archary@bigengroup.com

Vodacom Bulls eager to stretch legs against FNB UP-Tuks

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The Vodacom Bulls have returned from their festive season break with renewed spirits as they put the finishing touches on their preparation for the 2020 Vodacom Super Rugby season.

They will face three-time FNB Varsity Cup champions, FNB UP-Tuks, in two warm-up matches on Saturday, 11 January at the Tuks Stadium.

The Vodacom Bulls will split their extended squad across the two matches as they aim to shake off the rust and shed a few kilos of festive indulgence before the action begins against the Cell C Sharks in Round 1 on Friday, 31 January.

Kick-off is 09:00 and 11:00.

Vodacom Bulls (warm-up match 1): 15. Warrick Gelant, 14. Cornal Hendricks, 13. Johnny Kotze, 12. Burger Odendaal (C), 11. Rosko Specman, 10. Chris Smith, 9. Embrose Papier, 8. Muller Uys, 7. Wian Vosloo, 6. Marco van Staden, 5. Jaundrè Kruger, 4. Andries Ferreira, 3. Wiehahn Herbst, 2. Johan Grobbelaar, 1. Simphiwe Matanzima.

 

Replacements: 16. Louis van der Westhuizen, 17. Dayan van der Westhuizen, 18. Ian Groenewald, 19. Marius Verwey, 20. Jean Droste, 21. David Coetzer, 22. Dawid Kellerman, 23. Diego Appolis, 24. Tim Agaba.

Vodacom Bulls (warm-up match 2): 15. Richard Kriel, 14. Jade Stighling, 13. Marnus Potgieter, 12. Dylan Sage, 11. Divan Rossouw, 10. Manie Libbok, 9. Ivan van Zyl, 8. Josh Strauss, 7. Abongile Nonkontwana, 6. Jeandre Rudolph, 5. Ruan Nortje, 4. Ryno Pieterse, 3. Mornay Smith, 2. Jaco Visagie, 1. Gerhard Steenekamp.

Replacements: 16. Corniel Els, 17. Madot Mabokela, 18. Adre Smith, 19. Ewan Coetzee, 20. Marco Jansen van Vuren, 21. Morne Steyn, 22. Jay-Cee Nel, 23. Franco Naude, 24. Vaughen Isaacs.