Loftus Versfeld set for AFGRI Prestige Schools Rugby Day

The AFGRI Prestige Schools Rugby Day will once again be hosted at Loftus Versfeld as some of the top rugby schools from around the country descend on the stadium on Saturday, 14 March 2020.

Stellenberg, Outeniqua and Paarl Gimnasium are the latest schools to take part in the tournament which is testament to how much the tournament has grown since its inception, while schools see it has an exercise to test their capabilities against strong opposition that they usually do not get to play against.

Werner de Beer, BBCo Recruitment Manager, is an avid advocate of the AFGRI Prestige Schools Day and is looking forward to welcoming the various schools to Loftus Versfeld.

“The AFGRI Prestige Schools Rugby Day has only grown from strength to strength and this year is expected to be bigger and better than 2019. Supporters can expect quality schoolboy rugby while watching the next generation of South African rugby’s superstars.”

The #BullsFamily are encouraged to support the schools while Zappas Loftus will be showing the Vodacom Bulls and Reds match. Kick-off is 10:15.

 

View The AFGRI Prestige Schools Rugby Day match schedule below or download it here.

 

Field 1

07:40 – Garsfontein vs Florida U13

08:30 – Midstream College vs Ellisras U13

09:20 – St. Alban’s College vs Kroonstad

10:40 – EG Jansen vs Invitational XV

12:00 – Lunch

13:20 – Garsfontein vs Kempton Park

14:40 – Ellisras vs Stellenberg

16:00 – Montana vs Die Anker

17:20 – Waterkloof vs Outeniqua

18:40 – HTS Middelburg vs Boland Landbou

20:00 – Pretoria Boys High vs Paarl Gimnasium

Field 2

08:00 – Montana U14A vs Die Anker

09:00 – Montana U15A vs Die Anker

10:00 – Montana 2nds vs Die Anker

11:20 – Montana U16A vs Die Anker

12:30 – Waterkloof U14A vs EG Jansen

13:30 – Waterkloof U15A vs EG Jansen

14:30 – Waterkloof U16A vs EG Jansen

15:30 – Waterkloof 2nds vs EG Jansen

16:30 – Waterkloof 4ths vs EG Jansen

Field 3

08:00 – Montana 3rds vs Die Anker

09:00 – Montana U16B vs Die Anker

10:00 – Montana U14B vs Die Anker

11:00 – Montana U15B vs Die Anker

12:00 – Waterkloof U16B vs EG Jansen

13:00 – Montana 4ths vs Die Anker

14:00 – Waterkloof 3rds vs EG Jansen

15:00 – Waterkloof U14B vs EG Jansen

16:00 – Waterkloof U16B vs EG Jansen

Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool

14:00 – Affies vs Diamantveld

 

 

Vodacom Bulls squad named for Australasian tour

The Vodacom Bulls touring squad will depart for Australia later today as they embark on their four-week tour of Australasia.

Head coach Pote Human included the entire matchday team that beat the Highlanders last weekend except for Nafi Tuitavake with Franco Naude being named instead.

The additional players included are Dayan van der Westhuizen, Louis van der Westhuizen, Marco Jansen van Vuren and Burger Odendaal.

The Vodacom Bulls will spend two weeks in Australia where they will face the Reds and Waratahs in Brisbane and Sydney respectively before making the short trip to New Zealand to square off against the Hurricanes and Chiefs.

Human was optimistic about the tour after an emphatic 38-13 win against the Highlanders but warned against complacency.

“We needed that win to go on tour with our tails up. It has definitely boosted morale within our camp and the players are keen to build on that performance which is great because we are staring down the barrel of four matches against quality opposition with all four teams having won the competition before. We cannot afford to let our guard down, not even for a moment.”

Vodacom Bulls touring squad: Trevor Nyakane, Jaco Visagie, Lizo Gqoboka, Muller Uys, Josh Strauss, Marco van Staden, Ruan Nortje, Ian Groenewald, Corniel Els, Gerhard Steenekamp, Wiehahn Herbst, Ryno Pieterse, Ruan Steenkamp, Dayan van der Westhuizen, Louis van der Westhuizen, Embrose Papier, Manie Libbok, Rosko Specman, Johnny Kotze, Franco Naude, Cornal Hendricks, Warrick Gelant, Ivan van Zyl, Morné Steyn, Divan Rossouw, Marco Jansen van Vuren, Burger Odendaal.

Tour fixtures:

  • 14 March – v Reds
  • 21 March – v Waratahs
  • 27 March – v Hurricanes
  • 4 April – v Chiefs

Uys and Groenewald on debut against Highlanders

Muller Uys and Ian Groenewald will both make their Vodacom Super Rugby debuts when the Vodacom Bulls host the Highlanders on Saturday, 7 March 2020.

Uys has more than proven his worth at junior level as the no.8 led the Vodacom Blue Bulls U21 to the SA Rugby U21 Championship final last year, where they put in an emphatic effort to beat his former team, DHL Western Province U21. Groenewald has seen a fair bit of rugby with his journey starting with FNB Maties while representing DHL Western Province and Tafel Lager Griquas domestically. The 28-year-old lock also represented the Italian club, Verona.

Big things are expected from these two players as they have impressed throughout training and warm-up matches, and now have the opportunity to stake a more permanent position within the Vodacom Bulls. Their inclusion at no.8 and lock respectively is two of three changes with Ruan Nortje slotting in as Groenewald’s lock partner.

Vodacom Bulls head coach, Pote Human, made one change to the backs as Manie Libbok gets his first start of the season with Morné Steyn shifting to the bench.

The other change to the bench allows Ryno Pieterse to potentially add to his cap and is expected to provide serious power if he takes the field.

Human was straightforward when it came to explaining his selection as the team is in desperate need of their first win of the season, but did crack a smile regarding Uys and Groenewald’s upcoming debuts.

“We need to do things a little different this week, we are in Round 6 and are yet to win. Tough choices had to be made and the players and I understand what needs to be done and accept the accountability thereof. There is no doubt that we have our backs against the wall and will need to deal with that pressure to restore the pride and belief of the Loftus faithful.

“Muller and Ian have been working hard so it is great to see them being rewarded. They are both intelligent rugby players who leave nothing on the field. Congratulations to both.”

Vodacom Bulls: 15. Warrick Gelant, 14. Cornal Hendricks, 13. Nafi Tuitavake, 12. Johnny Kotze, 11. Rosko Specman, 10. Manie Libbok, 9. Embrose Papier, 8. Muller Uys, 7. Josh Strauss, 6. Marco van Staden, 5. Ruan Nortje, 4. Ian Groenewald, 3. Trevor Nyakane (C), 2. Jaco Visagie, 1. Lizo Gqoboka.

Replacements: 16. Corniel Els, 17. Gerhard Steenekamp, 18. Wiehahn Herbst, 19. Ryno Pieterse, 20. Ruan Steenkamp, 21. Ivan van Zyl, 22. Morné Steyn, 23. Divan Rossouw.