Tambwe joins the Vodacom Bulls

The Blue Bulls Company is delighted to announce the signing of the electrifying quick Madosh Tambwe effective immediately with the utility back making Loftus Versfeld his home until June 2023.

Tambwe, who was born in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, joins from the Cell C Sharks and stands at 1.86m and weighs in at 92kgs.

The 23-year-old former Parktown Boys’ High School scholar made a name for himself at the Xerox Lions where his try-scoring ability and strength on the wing allowed him to move quickly up the ranks.

Tambwe represented the Xerox Lions at U19 and Currie Cup level while he also forced his way into the Emirates Lions’ Vodacom Super Rugby squad in 2017.

Vodacom Bulls Director of Rugby, Jake White said: “Madosh is an amazing talent, and is a welcomed addition to our backline stock where his talent will benefit the collective strength. We are excited to start working with him and see his skills on the field.”

Jake says thanks to the fans!

Dear #BullsFamily24,

To start with, you would notice that I have addressed this letter to ‘#BullsFamily24’. We’ve been saying it for many years now, as a supporter of the Vodacom Bulls you are part of OUR FAMILY… a family 2,4 million strong.

You would have also noticed the number ‘24’ on all of our marketing, communication, and around the stadium over the last few months. The explanation of ‘24’ becomes a lot easier now, with our short-term goals being achieved. ‘24’ was a dream… a vision… a target… a goal. We used the number as an image and a symbol to work towards, one that inspired every single member of the team, management, and staff.

The significance of 24 means different things to different people, but the main ones are aligned:

  • We worked towards and achieved our 24th Carling Currie Cup title.
  • When broken up the ‘4’ was the goal for the amount of Vodacom Super Rugby titles.
  • While the ‘2’ was significant of the number of senior titles for the season (Carling Currie Cup and Vodacom Super Rugby).
  • The ‘4’ was also relevant to the number of overall titles at senior and junior levels (U19, U21, Carling Currie Cup, and Vodacom Super Rugby).
  • It was also a tribute to player number 24, that was the guy that just didn’t make it into the match 23… his attitude and how he approached the week was essential to the spirit in the team.
  • Most of all… the Vodacom Bulls have always played with an extra player (figuratively), let’s call it our player 24… and that was you, the fan that never stopped believing in us even through the toughest of times… all 2,4 million of you.

On behalf of everybody at Loftus, I want to sincerely and humbly express our gratitude for your unwavering support. Thank you for investing your time and energy into us… thank you for showing patience and belief, and most importantly thank you for sharing in the ups and downs of this journey.

The 2020/21 season will go down in our history as the strangest season ever but will be noted as a successful one. That chapter is over, and we must now move forward onto the next one. We look forward to our new journey heading into Pro Rugby and sharing these moments with you.

Regards,

Jake White

Vodacom Bulls look to experience for final

Vodacom Bulls Director of Rugby, Jake White, has named a matchday squad jam-packed with experience while keeping consistency in the team’s selection ahead of their Carling Currie Cup final clash against the Cell C Sharks at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday, 30 January 2021.

The forwards remain relatively unchanged with the only change coming at hooker as Johan Grobbelaar gets the starting nod with Schalk Erasmus providing cover on the bench.

Duane Vermeulen will again lead the team from the back of the scrum alongside his successful loose forward partnership with Elrigh Louw and fellow Springbok Marco van Staden.

Springboks Trevor Nyakane and Lizo Gqoboka prop up a strong Vodacom Bulls’ scrum while adding firepower in loose play.

The backs are unchanged as Marco Jansen van Vuren continues in his role at outside centre after a successful outing against the Xerox Lions as a late injury replacement for Blitzbok Stedman Gans.

Morné Steyn’s experience will contribute towards the collective strength of this team as he continues to rack up points with his boot while unleashing a backline that carries a massive punch, spearheaded by Springbok Cornal Hendricks and Blitzbok Kurt-Lee Arendse.

Former schoolboy sensation Stravino Jacobs has excelled under his baptism of fire in his first season as a senior player and will be keen to add to his brace that he scored in the semifinal last weekend.

The replacements have an important job in providing fresh legs and this weekend’s match will prove the ultimate test with stalwarts such as Jacques van Rooyen and Arno Botha standing by to inflict as much damage as possible while Springbok Embrose Papier and Chris Smith will be primed to open up the match in the latter stages.

“We have secured a place in the final but we still have 80 minutes to play. There are no second chances in playoff rugby and our opponents are just as eager to lift this coveted trophy. Our job is to prevent this from happening and ensuring that the Carling Currie Cup returns to Loftus Versfeld,” said White.

Kick-off is 15:00 and will be televised live on the SuperSport Grandstand and Rugby channels.

Vodacom Bulls: 15. David Kriel, 14. Kurt-Lee Arendse, 13. Marco Jansen van Vuren, 12. Cornal Hendricks, 11. Stravino Jacobs, 10. Morné Steyn, 9. Ivan van Zyl, 8. Duane Vermeulen (C), 7. Elrigh Louw, 6. Marco van Staden, 5. Ruan Nortje, 4. Sintu Manjezi, 3. Trevor Nyakane, 2. Johan Grobbelaar, 1. Lizo Gqoboka.

Replacements: 16. Schalk Erasmus, 17. Jacques van Rooyen, 18. Mornay Smith, 19. Jan Uys, 20. Arno Botha, 21. Embrose Papier, 22. Chris Smith, 23. Marnus Potgieter, 24. Nizaam Carr, 25. Gerhard Steenekamp, 26. Keagan Johannes, 27. Jade Stighling.

Vodacom Bulls return to full strength for Xerox Lions semi-final

Vodacom Bulls Director of Rugby, Jake White, has named a full-strength matchday squad that will face the Xerox Lions in their Carling Currie Cup semi-final at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday, 23 January 2021.

Stravino Jacobs retains his spot on the left wing as a revamped backline sees the return of David Kriel (fullback) while Cornal Hendricks and Stedman Gans resume their successful partnership in the midfield.

Kurt-Lee Arendse is set to continue his attacking form on the right wing while Ivan van Zyl and Morné Steyn continue with their halfback pairing as the latter celebrates a ton of provincial matches for the Vodacom Bulls.

Steyn’s contributions to the Vodacom Bulls at the provincial level has been one of dedication and loyalty with all his appearances having been in the light blue jersey.

His 76 Carling Currie Cup caps alongside 18 Vodacom Cup appearances coupled with five sanctioned friendlies is testament to not only his immense talent but also his professionalism.

Amongst the forwards, Duane Vermeulen resumes the captaincy and will man the back of the scrum alongside Elrigh Louw and Marco van Staden as blindside and openside flank respectively.

Sintu Manjezi has been named at no.4 lock while his partner Ruan Nortje continues in his role as lineout coordinator in the no.5 jumper.

The young yet incredibly talented Schalk Erasmus will have the confidence knowing that his role at hooker will be aided by two Springbok props in Lizo Gqoboka and Trevor Nyakane.

The bench is littered with players who have given their all when called upon and this weekend’s finishers are no different with Arno Botha, Jacques van Rooyen, Embrose Papier and Chris Smith set to provide vitally important fresh legs in a crucial match.

“We have reached the business end of the Carling Currie Cup and I must commend our entire squad on getting us to this point. Every player in our ranks has contributed to our cause with enthusiasm and a never say die attitude,” said White.

“Focusing on this weekend has been in our minds for the last two weeks and we have done all we can in terms of preparation. We know how to win and we have to just that against a team that has pushed us each time we’ve played them,” he added.

Vodacom Bulls: 15. David Kriel, 14. Kurt-Lee Arendse, 13. Stedman Gans, 12. Cornal Hendricks, 11. Stravino Jacobs, 10. Morné Steyn, 9. Ivan van Zyl, 8. Duane Vermeulen (C), 7. Elrigh Louw, 6. Marco van Staden, 5. Ruan Nortje, 4. Sintu Manjezi, 3. Trevor Nyakane, 2. Schalk Erasmus, 1. Lizo Gqoboka.

Replacements: 16. Johan Grobbelaar, 17. Jacques van Rooyen, 18. Mornay Smith, 19. Jan Uys, 20. Arno Botha, 21. Embrose Papier, 22. Chris Smith, 23. Marco Jansen van Vuren.

Vodacom Bulls announce extended squad for Xerox Lions encounter

Vodacom Bulls Director of Rugby, Jake White, has named an extended squad in preparation for the Carling Currie Cup clash against the Xerox Lions at Loftus Versfeld on Wednesday, 6 January 2021.

The larger than normal group is mainly due to the fact that the team is still awaiting a few Covid19 test results.

The final match day squad will be trimmed and finalised as soon as possible.

“It’s been an interesting and challenging season to say the least, with the past two weeks probably being our most testing yet. We haven’t had a lot of time together following the isolation protocols, which doesn’t make it ideal going into a crunch game like this one,” White explained.

“Having said that, we’re just excited to be able to play again and get our campaign back on track.”

Kick-off is 16:00 and will be televised live on the Super Sport Grandstand and Rugby channels.

Vodacom Bulls extended match day squad: Lizo Gqoboka, Schalk Erasmus, Trevor Nyakane, Jan Uys, Ruan Nortje, Marco van Staden, Elrigh Louw, Duane Vermeulen, Embrose Papier, Chris Smith, Stravino Jacobs, Cornal Hendricks, Marnus Potgieter, Jay-Cee Nel, David Kriel, Johan Grobbelaar, Jacques van Rooyen, Marcel van der Merwe, Walt Steenkamp, Arno Botha, Tim Agaba, Ivan van Zyl, Morne Steyn, Keagan Johannes, David Kellerman, Jade Stighling, Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Joe van Zyl.

Big Marcell Coetzee joins #BullsFamily

The Blue Bulls Company is excited to announce the signing of 29-year-old Springbok loose forward Marcell Coetzee, effective July 2021.

 

Coetzee has penned a three year deal and returns to South Africa after five seasons with GUINNESS PRO16 club Ulster where he quickly became a fan favourite and mainstay in the starting line-up. The former Port Natal High School scholar also represented the Cell C Sharks in Vodacom Super Rugby and the Currie Cup before a short stint with Honda Heat in the Japanese Top League before moving to PRO16.

 

Jake White, director of rugby at the BBCo, “Marcell is a phenomenal player and any team in the world would be ecstatic to have a player of his calibre joining its structures. He has grown from strength to strength over the years, and is currently playing some of the best rugby of his life. He’s excited about being back in South Africa, and making Loftus his home.”

Potgieter to start against Cell C Sharks

Marnus Potgieter will earn his first start of the Carling Currie Cup on the right wing when the Vodacom Bulls take on the Cell C Sharks on Saturday, 12 December 2020.

Vodacom Bulls Director of Rugby, Jake White, has made two positional changes to the backline with David Kriel and Kurt-Lee Arendse reverting to fullback and left wing respectively.

In the first of two changes to the forwards, Ruan Nortje returns at lock with Sintu Manjezi providing cover from the bench. The second sees Jacques van Rooyen getting back into the number 1 jumper after serving his one week ban for a red card against DHL Western Province.

Schalk Erasmus makes a welcomed return as the replacement hooker and will earn his Vodacom Bulls debut in the Carling Currie Cup should he take the field. Young Mornay Smith is also expected to earn his first cap of the season as front row cover.

The final change amongst the replacements is Marco Jansen van Vuren as the utility back option.

“The Sharks have been the in-form team from earlier this year and will be looking to get one over us. Durban is never an easy place to play and coupled with the humidity our job becomes that much harder. However, we are confident in our style of play and we know exactly what we need to do come Saturday,” said White.

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

Vodacom Bulls: 15. David Kriel, 14. Marnus Potgieter, 13. Stedman Gans, 12. Cornal Hendricks, 11. Kurt-Lee Arendse, 10. Morné Steyn, 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. Schalk Erasmus, 17. Gerhard Steenekamp, 18. Mornay Smith, 19. Sintu Manjezi, 20. Nizaam Carr, 21. Embrose Papier, 22. Chris Smith, 23. Marco Jansen van Vuren.

Vodacom Bulls ring changes for Toyota Cheetahs

Vodacom Bulls Director of Rugby, Jake White, has made several changes to his matchday squad which sees the depth of the backline being tested, with the forwards also sporting a few new faces.

Kurt-Lee Arendse and David Kriel switch to fullback and right wing respectively with Marco Jansen van Vuren earning his first start on the left wing.

There is a new halfback pairing as Morné Steyn returns to flyhalf while Embrose Papier will be manning his inside channel at scrumhalf.

Amongst the forwards, Sintu Manjezi will start his first match after several appearances off the bench while the front row sees two changes at prop with Marcel van der Merwe and Gerhard Steenekamp getting a start.

The bench has seen changes as well with Jan-Hendrik Wessels on the brink of making his Vodacom Bulls and Carling Currie Cup debut as a replacement prop. Trevor Nyakane and Ruan Nortje will provide cover at prop and lock.

Marnus Potgieter is also set for his competition and team debut, as he rounds out the backline replacements alongside Ivan van Zyl and Chris Smith.

“The Cheetahs are the only team to have beaten us in the last round, so we are truly looking forward to this one. I’m also excited about the changes we have made to our team, and I’m keen to see our new combinations,” said White.

Vodacom Bulls: 15. Kurt-Lee Arendse, 14. David Kriel, 13. Stedman Gans, 12. Cornal Hendricks, 11. Marco Jansen van Vuren, 10. Morné Steyn, 9. Embrose Papier, 8. Duane Vermeulen (c), 7. Arno Botha, 6. Marco van Staden, 5. Walt Steenkamp, 4. Sintu Manjezi, 3. Marcel van der Merwe, 2. Johan Grobbelaar, 1. Gerhard Steenekamp.

Replacements: 16. Corniel Els, 17. Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 18. Trevor Nyakane, 19. Ruan Nortje, 20. Nizaam Carr, 21. Ivan van Zyl, 22. Chris Smith, 23. Marnus Potgieter.

Vodacom Bulls bid farewell to Kruger

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.”

Grobbelaar returns for DHL Newlands excursion

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.