Vodacom Bulls bid farewell to Kruger

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The Blue Bulls Company would like to confirm that they have reached a mutual settlement agreement with Springbok lock Juandré Kruger. The 35-year-old lock forward re-joined the Vodacom Bulls late last year and added five more Vodacom Super Rugby caps to contribute towards the 31 caps earned between 2011 and 2013 before the Covid pandemic put paid to the regular season.

Kruger developed a reputation of being a lineout maestro and no-nonsense tight forward while at Loftus Versfeld, and it was while representing the Pretoria franchise that he received his Springbok call-up, where he went on to earn 17 caps in the Green and Gold.

He also represented the Vodacom Blue Bulls and DHL Western Province in the Currie Cup before heading to Europe where he represented RC Toulon, Racing Metro 92, Northampton Saints and the Scarlets. The big lock racked up a total of 91 appearances collectively for the Vodacom Bulls and Blue Bulls.

“Kruger has always been the utmost professional. He has been exemplary as a player in terms of his work ethic, dedication, and passion for his craft. We wish him all the best with his future endeavours,” said Vodacom Bulls CEO, Edgar Rathbone.

Kruger humbly thanked the #BullsFamily for the part they played in his career, “I will always cherish my time spent in a Vodacom Bulls jersey, and would like to wish the players, staff and management at Loftus everything of the best going forward. I’d also like to say a massive thank you to all those that have helped shape me as a player and as a person.”

Jerry Maritz se onderhoud op Landbouweekliks

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Grobbelaar returns for DHL Newlands excursion

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Johan Grobbelaar makes a return to the Vodacom Bulls pack and will start at hooker for their opening Carling Currie Cup clash against DHL Western Province at DHL Newlands on Saturday, 28 November 2020.

The recently crowned Vodacom Super Rugby Unlocked champions now set their sights on the Carling Currie Cup which the Pretoria franchise last won in 2009, and they will be determined to bag a full house of points in what marks DHL Newlands swansong season.

Vodacom Bulls Director of Rugby, Jake White has tweaked his match day squad with the inclusion of Grobbelaar while Chris Smith retains the no.10 jersey after an impressive showing last week.

The rest of the starting line-up remains unchanged.

Amongst the replacements, Corniel Els shifts to the bench and will provide cover at hooker while Clinton Swart retains the number 22 jersey.

“We achieved our first goal of the post-pandemic season and now we shift our focus to securing the Currie Cup with a massive target on our backs,” explained White.

“There are a few teams that can travel to Newlands as favourites, which makes our job harder. Couple that with the fact that Western Province are always a difficult team to face, home or away, and fans can expect a true old school North-South Derby” he added.

Kick-off is 19:00.

Vodacom Bulls: 15. David Kriel, 14. Travis Ismaiel, 13. Stedman Gans, 12. Cornal Hendricks, 11. Kurt-Lee Arendse, 10. Chris Smith, 9. Ivan van Zyl, 8. Duane Vermeulen (c), 7. Arno Botha, 6. Marco van Staden, 5. Ruan Nortje, 4. Walt Steenkamp, 3. Trevor Nyakane, 2. Johan Grobbelaar, 1. Jacques van Rooyen.

Replacements: 16. Corniel Els, 17. Gerhard Steenekamp, 18. Marcel van der Merwe, 19. Sintu Manjezi, 20. Nizaam Carr, 21. Embrose Papier, 22. Clinton Swart, 23. Marco Jansen van Vuren.

Vodacom Bulls ready for the “last dance” in Vodacom Super Rugby

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Chris Smith will earn his first start at flyhalf when the Vodacom Bulls host the Phakisa Pumas in their final Vodacom Super Rugby Unlocked match at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday, 21 November 2020.

This match marks the first meeting between the teams at Vodacom Super Rugby Unlocked level, with the Vodacom Bulls determined to maintain their winning streak as they secured victories in their previous three matches including a come from behind win against the Emirates Lions a fortnight ago.

The Vodacom Bulls have been impressive on the attack as the team has registered 17 tries while only conceding seven. Equally impressive is their defense as they have only conceded 3.4 clean breaks 14.4 defenders beaten thus far, according to Opta Stats.

The inclusion of Smith means the incumbent Morné Steyn gets a well-deserved break with Clinton Swart providing cover off the bench. The rest of the backline remains unchanged.

Amongst the forwards, Springbok flank Arno Botha will wear the seven jumper with Elrigh Louw dropping out of the matchday squad.

Corniel Els starts at hooker with Joe van Zyl on the bench in a direct swap as incumbent Johan Grobbelaar still nursing an injury.

“Due to the Covid pandemic affecting proceedings and the match between the DHL Stormers and Cell C Sharks being cancelled, we find ourselves in a more fortunate position than expected. Even though this is not an ideal situation for the tournament and the teams, we all understand that the safety and well-being of all involved comes first,” said Vodacom Bulls Director of Rugby, Jake White.

“We as a team want to ensure that if we are to be named champions then we want to do it the right way, with a win against a good Pumas team,” he added.

Kick-off is 14:00 and will be televised live on the SuperSport Grandstand and Rugby channels.

Vodacom Bulls: 15. David Kriel, 14. Travis Ismaiel, 13. Stedman Gans, 12. Cornal Hendricks, 11. Kurt-Lee Arendse, 10. Chris Smith, 9. Ivan van Zyl, 8. Duane Vermeulen (C), 7. Arno Botha, 6. Marco van Staden, 5. Ruan Nortje, 4. Walt Steenkamp, 3. Trevor Nyakane, 2. Corniel Els, 1. Jacques van Rooyen.

Replacements: 16. Joe van Zyl, 17. Gerhard Steenekamp, 18. Marcel van der Merwe, 19. Sintu Manjezi, 20. Nizaam Carr, 21. Embrose Papier, 22. Clinton Swart, 23. Marco Jansen van Vuren.

 

Steenkamp LOCKED in for Vodacom Bulls debut

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Walt Steenkamp has been named at lock and will make his debut for the Vodacom Bulls when they travel to Johannesburg to face the Emirates Lions in Round 5 of Vodacom Super Rugby Unlocked at Emirates Airline Park on Saturday, 7 November 2020.

The 25-year-old Steenkamp slots in at no.5 in the absence of former Junior Springbok Ruan Nortje who is being rested due to a little injury niggle. Steenkamp has stuck his hand up during training and now gets his opportunity to impress in a team that is enjoying its current brand of play.

The lineout has proven an effective attacking platform for the men in blue, with the Pretoria-based franchise boasting a 95% success rate while only losing fewer than one lineout on their own throw-in four matches to date.

The rest of the matchday team remains the same as the Vodacom Bulls look to remain consistent in their performances with two matches left before the conclusion of Vodacom Super Rugby Unlocked.

“The players have done well in correcting the ship after a slow start against the Griquas and Cheetahs which is testament to their desire to go the whole nine yards and secure silverware. However, our job is not yet done and we will have to have our wits about us when we face the Lions who will be confident after a strong performance last weekend,” said Vodacom Bulls Director of Rugby, Jake White.

Kick-off is 19:00 and will be broadcast live on the SuperSport Grandstand and Rugby channels.

Vodacom Bulls: 15. David Kriel, 14. Travis Ismaiel, 13. Stedman Gans, 12. Cornal Hendricks, 11. Kurt-Lee Arendse, 10. Morné Steyn, 9. Ivan van Zyl, 8. Duane Vermeulen (C), 7. Elrigh Louw, 6. Marco van Staden, 5. Walt Steenkamp, 4. Jason Jenkins, 3. Trevor Nyakane, 2. Johan Grobbelaar, 1. Jacques van Rooyen.

Replacements: 16. Joe van Zyl, 17. Gerhard Steenekamp, 18. Marcel van der Merwe, 19. Sintu Manjezi, 20. Nizaam Carr, 21. Embrose Papier, 22. Chris Smith, 23. Marco Jansen van Vuren.