Devastating ball-carrier Botha returns to Loftus

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The #BullsFamily teased fans with cryptic pieces of artwork on social media on Thursday, eluding to the return of a devastating hard-hitting ball carrier… ‘108KGs of solid gold heading to Loftus’.

The Vodacom Bulls are excited to announce that Arno Botha will return to Loftus Versfeld after an emphatic three-year display in Europe. The 29-year-old loose forward is set to join the team as of July 2020, if travel restrictions allow.

Botha, who captained the Junior Springboks in 2011, which saw him being awarded the SA Rugby U20 Player of the Year, made his first-class debut in the colours of the Vodacom Blue Bulls junior teams before making his Currie Cup debut in 2011.

His performances in South Africa’s premier domestic competition saw him earning a call up to the Vodacom Bulls where he produced glimpses of his devastating potential.

His rise within South African rugby continued as he made his Springbok debut in 2013 before a serious knee injury curtailed his international career. He also represented South Africa A against the English Saxons in 2016.

A short stint with London Irish in 2017 lined up his move to Munster in 2018 where he represented the Irish province with his explosive, barnstorming runs allowing him to become a regular fixture in the starting team.

Botha has proven himself to be a formidable opponent and worth his weight in gold on the field and his return to Loftus Versfeld will boost the loose forward stock.

Munster Rugby Head Coach Johann van Graan said, “Arno has been a great addition to the Munster squad and will be missed. I’ve no doubt the #BullsFamily are delighted to see him return to his home province as he is a quality signing.  We wish Arno all the best for the future and thank him for his time in red.”

Jake White, Director of Rugby at the Blue Bulls Company, is excited to have Botha back home, “Arno is a proud son of Loftus, and there is no doubt that the fans will be ecstatic to see him back. He started his rugby journey here and played all of his junior rugby in blue. There were big things expected from him from a young age, and he has now grown into a complete and well-balanced loosie. It’s no secret that we are in the process of building something very special at Loftus, and Arno is going to be a huge part of that.”

Botha is looking forward to his return, “As one door closes another one opens, and with this in mind, I just want to thank the Vodacom Bulls for the opportunity to be part of the #BullsFamily again, especially in this time. The Bulls have always and will always be a special part of my life and I’m looking forward to being back at Loftus. It is awesome to be heading home.”

 

https://youtu.be/wx63uvwZKoA

 

 

 

 

#BullsFamily bids farewell to Kotze

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The #BullsFamily today officially bid a fond farewell to Johnny Kotze, who quickly became a crowd favorite, working tirelessly to entrench himself into the hearts of the Loftus faithful. Kotze, whose preferred position is at outside centre and is also very comfortable on the wings, was one of the more consistent starters over the last few years. He displayed an amazing overall work rate, with seven line breaks in this year’s Vodacom Super Rugby season thus far (6 games).

The hard-running centre also boasted an amazing tackle rate of 84%, with a 70% gain-line success rate. He started his career at Western Province, before moving up to Loftus in 2017, also having served a brief off-season stint with the Ospreys at the end of 2018.

Alfons Meyer, CEO of the Blue Bulls Company, expressed his gratitude for Kotze’s loyal service, “Johnny is the epitome of a team man and was willing to do whatever was needed for the team. I’d like to sincerely thank him for being part of this #BullsFamily, and for committing the last few years to us. We wish him all the best with his future endeavors, and have no doubt that he will make a massive impact at his new club The Shimizu Blue Sharks in Japan.”

Kotze thanked the Vodacom Bulls for the journey thus far, “You always hear people describe life as a journey. It is at a time like this that one realizes just how true that statement is. I’ve truly enjoyed my time at the Bulls, and have met some amazing people here… people that I would hope to call friends for the rest of my life. Thank you to everybody at the #BullsFamily that has contributed to my career thus far and made my stay at Loftus one that I will never forget.”

Kotze, as always, finished with a smile and friendly little chirp, “I look forward to catching up with my Bulls mates in years to come, and reminiscing about our good old rugby days… I may even teach them how to make sushi then.”

CFO Magazine features Johan Geel, COO of AFGRI Group Holdings

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Johan rejoins AFGRI Group Holdings from GWK, where he served as group FD until April 2020.

On 1 May 2020, Johan Geel rejoined AFGRI Group Holdings as the COO. He left as group FD in January 2018 and served as the group FD of GWK until April 2020.  About his appointment, Johan says it is a “great privilege” to be back at Afgri.

“The AFGRI environment has changed since I left, but I am looking forward to the new challenges in a changing global environment with things like Covid-19.”

He adds that he will review the current company structures with a focus on cost. “In short, we need to get back to basics and focus on what is important and what will make a difference for the new future of the agri and foods environment.”

This is not the first time Johan will be in the COO role at AFGRI. In 2009, he also served as COO until 2012 before being appointed group FD.

Johan was a CFO Awards 2016 and 2017 nominee for his work as the Group FD of AFGRI.

 

Hot-stepper Aplon joins #BullsFamily

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The Vodacom Bulls confirm the signing of Springbok utility back Gio Aplon, who will join the team from June or as soon as he is able to travel back to South Africa, as Director of Rugby Jake White continues to build his player group. Aplon proved to be a nemesis of his new team when he played in the colours of the DHL Stormers and DHL Western Province.  He epitomised the phrase ‘size doesn’t matter’ with his explosive speed and nimble feet allowing him to score tries from almost anywhere on the field, taking on the biggest and the best the game had to offer.

A long and illustrious career in Cape Town, which saw the former Hawthorn School scholar lifting the coveted Currie Cup in 2012, came to an end in 2014 as he moved to French Top 14 club, Grenoble, where he flourished despite the heavier fields.

Aplon joins the Vodacom Bulls from Toyota Verblitz where he played under White’s tutelage. There is no doubt that his experience and amazing skillset will not only benefit the team but also assist in the further development of the exciting younger outside backs.

The hot-stepping speedster shared his respect for the #BullsFamily: “The Vodacom Bulls have always been a formidable force in the rugby world. I have always had a great deal of respect for the brand and what it has achieved, and I am truly looking forward to running out at Loftus. Coach Jake has an amazing vision and plan for the team, and I am just honoured that he wants me as part of it. I look forward to making the #BullsFamily proud.”

#BullsFamily appoint Rathbone as new CEO

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The #BullsFamily is excited to confirm that current Managing Director of Ellis Park Stadium (Pty) Ltd, Edgar Rathbone, will be taking over the reigns as CEO of the Blue Bulls Company (Pty) Ltd following the resignation of Alfons Meyer.

 

Rathbone, who will officially start at the Vodacom Bulls on 1 June 2020, is no stranger to the rugby environment. He has been a pillar and servant to the Lions Rugby Company and Ellis Park for the last seven years, starting his rugby journey as head of Finance and Administration in 2013. In 2014 he was appointed Chief Financial Officer holding the position for two years, before becoming Chief Financial and Commercial Officer in 2016.  In 2017 he was appointed as the managing Director of Ellis Park Stadium, responsible for managing the Ellis Park precinct which includes Emirates Airline Park, Johannesburg Stadium and Ellis Park Indoor Arena as well as being the commercial arm of Lions Rugby Company.

 

Rathbone comes to Loftus with a very strong commercial background, and truly understands the importance of finding the perfect balance between the evolution of rugby and everything around it, while still treasuring the traditions and the heritage thereof. He will be instrumental in implementing the Board’s vision of re-establishing the Vodacom Bulls and Blue Bulls as a force on the field, while making Loftus a venue that will become synonymous with great live experiences whether it be rugby, football or other social events.

 

Rathbone grew up in Somerset East and spent most of his childhood in the Eastern Cape where he attended Gill College. He later attended Stellenbosch University, obtaining B.Acc (Hons) Accounting. While there, he also became a regular scrumhalf for Maties at junior level.  He currently lives in Pretoria together with his wife Pauline and their two children.

Rathbone shared his eagerness to get going, “I have always had immense respect for the Vodacom Bulls and I’m extremely excited about this new chapter in my life. I am sincerely looking forward to getting stuck in and doing my best to add to the legacy of the #BullsFamily. Even though it’s extremely sad saying goodbye to my colleagues at the Lions, I do look forward to making new friends and partnerships at Loftus.”

 

Pieter Uys, chairman of the BBCo board welcomed Rathbone, “We are extremely excited to welcome Edgar to the #BullsFamily. He is a vibrant young man, with an extremely dynamic mindset and way of thinking. Edgar is well respected in the rugby industry and has done some phenomenal work with the Lions. We firmly believe that he will play a majorrole in taking the Bulls brand forward into a new era.”

 

https://youtu.be/wae6rUG1Jsg        

UNIGRO gaan voort om eAccounts fooie op te skort

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Gegewe die inperkingsverlenging tot en met 30 April 2020, sowel as die bekendstelling van Vlak 4 inperking vanaf 1 Mei 2020, verstaan ons dat ons boere steeds vir die afsienbare toekoms ernstige uitdagings in die gesig staar.  Daarom is dit vir ons aangenaam om aan te kondig dat UNIGRO en GroCapital Financial Services sal voortgaan om eAccounts fooie op te skort met ingang Mei 2020 en waarskynlik selfs langer.

Ons wil u weereens bedank vir u voortgesette ondersteuning en die bydrae wat u lewer in die voorsiening van voedsel vir ons land se etenstafels.

Ons vertrou dat die fooiopskorting sal help om finansiële laste ligter te maak in hierdie tyd en u finansiële adminstasieproses vergemaklik.

Wees veilig.

Ross Simmonds

Besturende Direkteur, UNIGRO Financial Services

UNIGRO continues to suspend fees for eAccounts

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Given the lockdown extension to 30 April 2020, and the introduction of Level 4 from 1 May 2020, we understand that our farmers will continue to face a number of serious challenges for the foreseeable future. We are therefore pleased to announce that UNIGRO and GroCapital Financial Services will continue our eAccounts fees suspension into May 2020 and possibly beyond this.

Once again, thank you for your ongoing support and for helping ensure that food reaches the table across the country. We hope that this fee suspension will help ease any financial burden and make your financial administration process more convenient.

Stay safe.

Ross Simmonds

MD, UNIGRO Financial Services

Van der Merwe returns to Loftus Versfeld

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It is with great excitement that the Blue Bulls Company welcomes back Springbok prop, Marcel van der Merwe, after a stint with French Top 14 club Toulon. The powerful yet mobile front rower will join the Vodacom Bulls as of July 2020.

Van der Merwe established himself at the Vodacom Bulls when he made the move from Bloemfontein in 2014 after making his Vodacom Super Rugby debut for the Toyota Cheetahs.

His performances in that 2014 Vodacom Super Rugby earned him a Springbok call up where he earned seven Test caps. He also represented the Junior Springboks in 2010 and earned a South A cap in 2016 against the French Barbarians.

The former Grey College scholar wore the Vodacom Bulls jersey on 45 occasions, scoring six tries while he also ran out in the colours of the Vodacom Blue Bulls.

Van der Merwe returns to South African shores after impressive performances with Toulon and his experience in France and its forward dominated approach to rugby will have only sharpened his abilities.

Van der Merwe recorded a message for the #BullsFamily announcing his return to Loftus Versfeld.

“I’m excited to confirm that I’ve signed with the Vodacom Bulls. Loftus and the Bulls have always had a special place in my heart and I look forward to coming back home. I’ll see you all soon.”

Van der Merwe returns to Loftus Versfeld

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It is with great excitement that the Blue Bulls Company welcomes back Springbok prop, Marcel van der Merwe, after a stint with French Top 14 club Toulon. The powerful yet mobile front rower will join the Vodacom Bulls as of July 2020.

Van der Merwe established himself at the Vodacom Bulls when he made the move from Bloemfontein in 2014 after making his Vodacom Super Rugby debut for the Toyota Cheetahs.

His performances in that 2014 Vodacom Super Rugby earned him a Springbok call up where he earned seven Test caps. He also represented the Junior Springboks in 2010 and earned a South A cap in 2016 against the French Barbarians.

The former Grey College scholar wore the Vodacom Bulls jersey on 45 occasions, scoring six tries while he also ran out in the colours of the Vodacom Blue Bulls.

Van der Merwe returns to South African shores after impressive performances with Toulon and his experience in France and its forward dominated approach to rugby will have only sharpened his abilities.

Van der Merwe recorded a message for the #BullsFamily announcing his return to Loftus Versfeld.

“I’m excited to confirm that I’ve signed with the Vodacom Bulls. Loftus and the Bulls have always had a special place in my heart and I look forward to coming back home. I’ll see you all soon.”