Herbst, Van Staden boost for Vodacom Blue Bulls

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Wiehahn Herbst will start at prop, and flanker Marco van Staden will play off the bench when the Vodacom Blue Bulls take on the Toyota Free State Cheetahs at Loftus Versfeld on Friday night.

Both players will make a first appearance in the Currie Cup, sponsored by Direct Axis Financial Services, for coach Pote Human in round two of the tournament.

Herbst was a late withdrawal and missed the opening match against DHL Western Province last week due to the birth of his child, while Van Staden was part of the Springbok squad preparing for the Castle Lager Rugby Championship match against Australia and has been released for this clash.

Herbst takes over from Conraad van Vuuren and Van Staden takes the place on the bench of Roelof Smit.

Smit will start the match in place of injured Wian Vosloo.

Lock Andries Ferreira will also make a first start for the Vodacom Blue Bulls against a former province of his, replacing Lood de Jager, who has been recalled to the Springbok squad to face the Wallabies.

Human said the team will have the opportunity to not only redeem themselves following last weekend’s defeat to DHL Western Province, but can do so in front of the Loftus faithful.

“We need to be at our best. The Toyota Free State Cheetahs will be well-rested and have some really good players available. They will be very keen to get their season started. We have to start well, keep playing well and finish well in this one. We created some chances last week, but with some of our phases not functioning as it should have, we never really managed to force dominance. That needs to change this weekend,” said Human.

Vodacom Blue Bulls captain, Burger Odendaal, said the focus will be on themselves, rather than the opponent.

“We spoke about the errors made last weekend and how to make them right. We all agreed on how to do that, so it is now a matter of going out there and execute the type of game we know we can play.”

Kick-off is at 19h15. The referee for the clash is Marius van der Westhuizen.

The Vodacom Blue Bulls team is: Divan Rossouw, Cornal Hendricks, Johnny Kotze, Burger Odendaal (c), Rosko Specman, Manie Libbok, Embrose Papier, Tim Agaba, Roelof Smit, Ruan Steenkamp, Andries Ferreira, Ruan Nortje, Wiehahn Herbst, Jaco Visagie, Simphiwe Matanzima. Replacements: Johan Grobbelaar, Dayan van der Westhuizen, Conraad van Vuuren, Jean Droste, Marco van Staden, Ivan van Zyl, Marnitz Boshoff, Dylan Sage.

Lood de Jager to start for Vodacom Blue Bulls

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Lood de Jager will make a welcome return to competitive rugby on Saturday when the Vodacom Blue Bulls take on DHL Western Province in Cape Town in the opening weekend of the Currie Cup, sponsored by DirectAxis Financial Services.

De Jager last played in February before picking up an injury that ruled him out of action for the remainder of the Vodacom Super Rugby competition and his return will boost the chances of coach Pote Human charges in their season’s opener at DHL Newlands.

Human named a squad full of familiar faces following Super Rugby, with flanker Wian Vosloo the only newcomer to the squad.

The 24-year old played for the Cell C Sharks in 2018 and is one of five players making their Currie Cup debut for the Vodacom Blue Bulls.

De Jager, Cornal Hendricks, Rosko Specman and prop Wiehahn Herbst will all play for the team for the first time in the competition.

Jean Droste, who played age group rugby for the Vodacom Blue Bulls before a couple of seasons with the Cell C Sharks, is also back in Pretoria and will play off the bench.

Human said they are expecting a massive match against their Cape Town opponents.

“What a way to start this competition – against Province in Cape Town. It does not come tougher than this,” Human said.

The coach said De Jager’s return to action will be a good boost for their chances.

“Lood played very well before his injury and worked really hard to get back onto the field. I am sure he is ready to give it a good go. We have some form players in the team at the moment, but playing at Newlands against such a formidable team is always a tough start,” Human said.

Vodacom Blue Bulls captain, Burger Odendaal, said they will need to make every opportunity count.

“With only one round in this year’s competition, we need to take every chance that comes our way. I expect this year’s Currie Cup to be very, very competitive and every result will be crucial. We need to start well and keep up the pressure in order to have a chance this weekend,” Odendaal said.

The team is: Divan Rossouw, Cornal Hendricks, Johnny Kotze, Burger Odendaal (c), Rosko Specman, Manie Libbok, Embrose Papier, Tim Agaba, Wian Vosloo, Ruan Steenkamp, Lood de Jager, Ruan Nortjie, Wiehahn Herbst, Jaco Visagie, Simphiwe Matanzima. Replacements: Johan Grobbelaar, Matthys Basson, Conraad van Vuuren, Jean Droste, Roelof Smit, Ivan van Zyl, Marnitz Boshoff, Dylan Sage.

Odendaal to lead Vodacom Blue Bulls in Currie Cup campaign

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Vodacom Blue Bulls coach, Pote Human, named Burger Odendaal as captain for the 2019 Currie Cup season and included five Springboks in his squad for the season. Cornal Hendricks, who made a return to rugby in the Vodacom Super Rugby tournament, will again play in the country’s premier domestic competition for the first time since 2015, while Human can also call on Embrose Papier, Ivan van Zyl, Marnitz Boshoff and Roelof Smit, who all donned the green and gold.

A number of former Blitzboks will also add to their effort, including Rosko Specman, Dylan Sage and Tim Agaba, while Stedman Gans has also joined up with the squad.

Former Cell C Sharks flanker, Wihan Vosloo, also joined from Durban, while lock Andries Ferreira returns to his old stomping ground at Loftus Versfeld.

Wiehahn Herbst will also debut for the Vodacom Blue Bulls, following a long career with the Cell C Sharks and Ulster.

 

The Currie Cup training squad is: 

  • Fullbacks: Divan Rossouw, Earll Douwrie
  • Wings: Cornal Hendricks, Rosko Specman, Jade Stighling.
  • Centres: Burger Odendaal, Dylan Sage, Johnny Kotze, Stedman Gans.
  • Flyhalves: Manie Libbok, Marnitz Boshoff
  • Scrumhalves: Embrose Papier, Ivan van Zyl, Andre Warner.
  • Loose forwards: Tim Agaba, Fred Eksteen, Wihan Vosloo, Jaco Bezuidenhout, Ruan Steenkamp, Eduan Lubbe, Roelof Smit.
  • Locks: Jean Drotste, Andries Ferreira, Ruan Nortje, Adri Smith, Marius Verwey
  • Props: Wiehahn Herbst, Conraad van Vuuren, Madot Mabokela, Simphiwe Matanzima, Matthys Basson, Dayan van der Westhuizen.
  • Hookers: Jaco Visagie, Johan Grobbelaar

Blitzbok named in Vodacom Blue Bulls U21 team to square off against the Free State

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Blitzbok JC Pretorius has been selected to start at flank for the Vodacom Blue Bulls U21 against the Toyota Free State Cheetahs U21 at Shimla Park in Bloemfontein on Saturday, 29 June 2019.

 

The former HTS Middleburg scholar captained the Vodacom Blue Bulls U19 in 2018 and made his Blitzbok debut at the Sydney leg of the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series in February. He has since earned 27 caps and scored 11 tries for the South African national sevens team.

 

Pretorius saw game time off the bench last week against the DHL Western Province U21 and head coach, Nollis Marais, opted to hand him his first start of their 2019 SA Rugby U21 Championship campaign.

Marais made several other changes to the matchday squad as Cameron Hufke and Gershwin Mouton will start at wing in the place of Jay-Cee Nel and Damian Bonaparte.

Ewart Potgieter and Kabelo Mokoena will warm the bench in the spots left vacant by Pretorius and Mouton.

Kick-off is 13:00 and the public are encouraged to support the team in what will undoubtedly be a bruising affair in Bloemfontein.

Vodacom Blue Bulls U21: 15. Andrew Kota, 14. Gershwin Mouton, 13. Diego Appollis, 12. Wian van Niekerk, 11. Cameron Hufke, 10. Fiela Boshoff, 9. Lian du Toit, 8. Muller Uys, 7. Hanru Sirgel, 6. JC Pretorius, 5. Ruan Nortje, 4. Ryno Pieterse, 3. Mornay Smith, 2. Werner Fourie, 1. Dewald Maritz.

Replacements: 16. Wiehan Bezuidenhout, 17. Joe van Zyl, 18. Carl Els, 19. Ewart Potgieter, 20. Johan Mulder, 21. Lionel April, 22. Kabelo Mokoena, 23. Cabous Eloff.

Kriel back for Vodacom Bulls

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Vodacom Bulls midfielder, Jesse Kriel, will make a welcome return to the starting team to face the Hurricanes in the Vodacom Super Rugby quarterfinals clash in Wellington on Saturday.

Kriel returns from an ankle injury sustained late in April and will run out for his 70th cap in the Vodacom Bulls jersey in the one of two changes in the starting team that outplayed the Emirates Lions last weekend.

Kriel comes in for the injured Burger Odendaal, with Johnny Kotze moving to the inside centre berth and Kriel slotting back in at 13.

Up front, Jason Jenkins also returns to partner RG Snyman at lock after missing the Lions clash as well due to injury.

He takes over from Jannes Kirsten, who reverts to the bench.

Vodacom Bulls coach, Pote Human, said the return of Kriel and Jenkins will be a boost.

“Jesse’s experience and ability speaks for itself and to have him back for this match is good news for us. Jason has also been playing really well lately and he forms a very competitive combination with RG, so it is a plus having that.”

Human said the Vodacom Bulls don’t want to leave Wellington without a win.

“We prepared to play in the final. We are now three matches away from that, but realise that we cannot look past this one against a very dangerous Hurricanes team. They play at home, have won this competition before and have so many strike players that will keep us busy. We have found some good momentum in the last couple of weeks though and will back ourselves on Saturday.”

Vodacom Bulls captain, Handré Pollard, said the improvement the team made this year was good reward.

“We have achieved one goal and now set our target on getting into the semifinals. We have learnt good lessons this year as a group, with one of them about our consistency. We need to keep the belief, the focus and the drive.”

Pollard said they have nothing to lose.

“We already improved on last season, but now that we are here, realise how close we are to make this even more meaningful, not only for ourselves as a squad, but for the support back home.”

The team (with Super caps and points) is:

  1. Warrick Gelant (45, 70)
  2. Cornal Hendricks (40, 70)
  3. Jesse Kriel (69, 95)
  4. Johnny Kotze (46, 45)
  5. Rosko Specman (12, 25)
  6. Handré Pollard (c; 59, 625)
  7. Andre Warner (19, 15)
  8. Duane Vermeulen (122, 50)
  9. Hanro Liebenberg (43, 35)
  10. Marco van Staden (25, 20)
  11. RG Snyman (48, 10)
  12. Jason Jenkins (51, 40)
  13. Trevor Nyakane (106, 15)
  14. Jaco Visagie (46, 10)
  15. Lizo Gqoboka (52, 15)

Replacements:

  1. Johan Grobbelaar (5, 0)
  2. Simphiwe Matanzima (16, 5)
  3. Wiehahn Herbst (49, 0)
  4. Jannes Kirsten (32, 10)
  5. Ruan Steenkamp (20, 0)
  6. Ivan van Zyl (30, 5)
  7. Manie Libbok (17, 55)
  8. Divan Rossouw (26, 20)

 

Notes:

Wiehahn Herbst will play in his 50th Vodacom Super Rugby match when he takes to the field, with the first 40 of those in the colours of the Cell C Sharks.

Vermeulen, Specman, Gelant back for Vodacom Bulls

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Duane Vermeulen, Rosko Specman and Warrick Gelant will return to the Vodacom Bulls starting team to face the Emirates Lions in their final Vodacom Super Rugby match at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.

The backline duo picked up injuries during the Vodacom Bulls tour to Australasia, while Vermeulen missed the New Zealand leg of the tour due to the World Cup rest protocols.

Coach Pote Human also had to replace injured lock Jason Jenkins and hooker, Schalk Brits, in a side that show six changes to the one that started against the Highlanders in Dunedin.

Gelant takes over from Divan Rossouw (bench) and Specman’s return is at the expense of Dylan Sage, with Johnny Kotze moving from wing to outside centre.

Andre Warner comes in at scrumhalf in place of Embrose Papier in a rotational move.

In the pack, Vermeulen’s return resulted in Marco van Staden moving back to six, with Ruan Steenkamp benched and Jannes Kirsten slotting in for Jenkins, with Eli Snyman coming onto the bench in his place.

Johan Grobbelaar will be back-up hooker to Jaco Visagie, who took over from Schalk Brits in Dunedin.

Vodacom Bulls coach, Pote Human, said the return of injured players will freshen up the squad.

“We are at a late stage in the competition and anyone coming back into the fray does so with new energy and fresh legs and that is always good. The nice thing about this weekend is that we have our fate in our own hands and do not have to worry about results elsewhere. We can go out and apply our minds to the job at hand.”

For Handré Pollard, the return to Loftus Versfeld will add something to the team’s effort.

“We are going to need every Vodacom Bulls supporter this weekend and I hope they come out in numbers to support us. We had some mixed performances at home this year, but the last couple of results show that we are getting into a good rhythm. It will be fantastic if we can qualify for the knock-outs for the first time in six years and do so in front of our own fans. Before that though, we will need an exceptional effort on Saturday.”

The team (with Super caps and points) is:  

  1. Warrick Gelant (44, 70)
  2. Cornal Hendricks (39, 65)
  3. Johnny Kotze (45, 45)
  4. Burger Odendaal (55, 30)
  5. Rosko Specman (11, 25)
  6. Handré Pollard (c; 58, 607)
  7. Andre Warner (18, 15)
  8. Duane Vermeulen (121, 50)
  9. Hanro Liebenberg (42, 30)
  10. Marco van Staden (24, 15)
  11. RG Snyman (42, 10)
  12. Jannes Kirsten (31, 10)
  13. Trevor Nyakane (106, 15)
  14. Jaco Visagie (45, 10)
  15. Lizo Gqoboka (52, 15)

Replacements: 

  1. Johan Grobbelaar (4, 0)
  2. Simphiwe Matanzima (15, 5)
  3. Wiehahn Herbst (48, 0)
  4. Eli Snyman (6, 0)
  5. Ruan Steenkamp (19, 0)
  6. Ivan van Zyl (29, 5)
  7. Manie Libbok (16, 50)
  8. Divan Rossouw (25, 20)

 

Pollard back for Vodacom Bulls

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Vodacom Bulls coach, Pote Human, named Handré Pollard at flyhalf and captain for Friday’s Vodacom Super Rugby clash against the Highlanders at Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin.

The pivot missed the last two matches on tour due to injury, but returns in a much-changed backline from the one that drew against the Blues a week ago.

Divan Rossouw (for Warrick Gelant) and Dylan Sage (for Rosko Specman) will join Pollard (replacing Manie Libbok) in the starting line-up. Sage will move to outside centre, while Johnny Kotze moves one out in place of the injured Specman.

Human also recalled Embrose Papier to partner Pollard at halfback, with Ivan van Zyl moving to the bench and Andre Warner missing out.

The loose trio that finished the game against the Blues will start against the Highlanders.

Marco van Staden will play at no 8 in place of injured Paul Schoeman, with Hanro Liebenberg and Ruan Steenkamp on the side of the scrum. The tight five remains intact.

Johan Grobbelaar comes onto the bench as a loose forward.

Human said the tour provided some good results, but can only be seen a successful one if they get the desired outcome against the Highlanders.

“This is going to be very tough for us, but this group thrives on challenges. I think they last lost to a team from outside New Zealand in 2016, so we need to be at our very best if we want to change that statistic.”

Pollard said he is keen to get back onto the field.

“The short break was great and I am happy to be back. This is a great venue to play at and we are determined to make our visit a productive one. We last won here in 2007, so it is about time we change that.”

The team is (with Super caps and points):

  1. Divan Rossouw (24, 15)
  2. Cornal Hendricks (38, 65)
  3. Dylan Sage (8, 0)
  4. Burger Odendaal (54, 30)
  5. Johnny Kotze (44, 45)
  6. Handré Pollard (c; 57, 598)
  7. Embrose Papier (22, 5)
  8. Marco van Staden (23, 15)
  9. Hanro Liebenberg (41, 30)
  10. Ruan Steenkamp (18, 0)
  11. RG Snyman (46, 10)
  12. Jason Jenkins (50, 35)
  13. Trevor Nyakane (105, 15)
  14. Schalk Brits (73, 20))
  15. Lizo Gqoboka (51, 15)

Replacements:

  1. Jaco Visagie (44, 5)
  2. Simphiwe Matanzima (14)
  3. Wiehahn Herbst (47, 0)
  4. Jannes Kirsten (29, 20)
  5. Johannes Grobbelaar (3, 0)
  6. Ivan van Zyl (28, 35)
  7. Manie Libbok (16, 50)
  8. JT Jackson (2, 0)

 

Two changes for Vodacom Bulls against Blues

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Vodacom Bulls coach, Pote Human, named Ivan van Zyl at scrumhalf and flanker Marco van Staden in his starting team for Friday’s Vodacom Super Rugby clash against the Blues at Eden Park in Auckland. Van Zyl takes over from Andre Warner and Van Staden comes in at flank for Paul Schoeman, who moves to no. 8 in place of Duane Vermeulen.

The Springbok no. 8 returned to South Africa as part of the SA Rugby agreement with contracted Springboks and their franchises.

Jason Jenkins will don the blue jersey for the 50th time.

According to Human, they need to start well against the home side, who have won 11 of their 12 home games against the Vodacom Bulls.

“We need to get a good start and sustain that throughout the match. They have some quality players, but the real test will be in the set-pieces. The Blues have the best scrum success rate (97%) in the competition, so that will be a critical area for us.”

With Handré Pollard and Duane Vermeulen out, Burger Odendaal will take over the captaincy.

The midfielder said they have clear objectives in this match.

“We are the underdogs, no doubt about that. That is good for us, as we can only concentrate on our own game and that we want to achieve. This will have to be very clinical performance from us. If not, it will be a long evening.”

The team is:

  1. Warrick Gelant (37, 60)
  2. Cornal Hendricks (37, 60)
  3. Johnny Kotze (43, 45)
  4. Burger Odendaal (c; 53, 30)
  5. Rosko Spekman (10, 25)
  6. Manie Libbok (15, 38)
  7. Ivan van Zyl (27, 5)
  8. Paul Schoeman (31, 35)
  9. Hanro Liebenberg (40, 25)
  10. Marco van Staden (22, 15)
  11. RG Snyman (45, 10)
  12. Jason Jenkins (49, 35)
  13. Trevor Nyakane (104, 15)
  14. Schalk Brits (72, 20)
  15. Lizo Gqoboka (50, 15)

Replacements:

  1. Jaco Visagie (43, 5)
  2. Simphiwe Matanzima (13, 5)
  3. Wiehahn Herbst (46, 0)
  4. Jannes Kirsten (29, 10)
  5. Ruan Steenkamp (17, 0)
  6. Andre Warner (17, 15)
  7. JT Jackson (2, 0)
  8. Divan Rossouw (23, 15)

Notes:

Jason Jenkins will play in his 50th match in Vodacom Super Rugby.

Vermeulen to lead Vodacom Bulls against Brumbies

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Duane Vermeulen will lead the Vodacom Bulls in their Vodacom Super Rugby match against the Brumbies at GIO Stadium in Canberra on Friday.

Regular captain, Handré Pollard will miss this clash due to a calf strain picked up in training earlier this week, and will be returning to South Africa. His place in the number 10 jersey will be taken by Manie Libbok, with Vermeulen taking over as captain.

Human called JT Jackson onto the bench in place of the promoted Libbok. The rest of the match day squad that played against the Rebels last week, remain unchanged.

Human said Libbok, who started for the Vodacom Bulls against the Jaquares earlier in the season, has big shoes to fill, but certainly has the ability and skills to help the team achieve a second win on tour.

“He would not be around if he was not good enough, that is for sure. Handré is probably the leading 10 in the world at the moment, so to take over from him is not easy, but Manie has done well for us when he took to the field this year and I have the utmost confidence in him this weekend. He is an exciting young talent and we are looking forward to watching him grow.”

For Vermeulen, the defensive effort that the squad showed last week, must be repeated.

“We defended very well when under severe pressure and the Brumbies are going to test us the same way. They are so skilled and determined, we cannot let our guard down or we will pay the price,” he said

Kick-off is at 11h45 SA time.

 

The team (with caps and points) is:

  1. Warrick Gelant (42, 70)
  2. Cornal Hendricks (36, 60)
  3. Johnny Kotze (42, 45)
  4. Burger Odendaal (52, 30)
  5. Rosko Specman (9, 25)
  6. Manie Libbok (14, 33)
  7. André Warner (16, 15)
  8. Duane Vermeulen (captain; 120, 50)
  9. Hanro Liebenberg (39, 20)
  10. Paul Schoeman (30, 35)
  11. RG Snyman (44, 10)
  12. Jason Jenkins (48, 35)
  13. Trevor Nyakane (103, 15)
  14. Schalk Brits (71, 20)
  15. Lizo Gqoboka (49, 15)

 

Replacements:

  1. Jaco Visagie (42, 5)
  2. Simphiwe Matanzima (12, 5)
  3. Wiehan Herbst (45, 0)
  4. Jannes Kirsten (28, 10)
  5. Marco van Staden (21, 15)
  6. Embrose Papier (21, 5)
  7. JT Jackson (1, 0)
  8. Divan Rossouw (22, 15)

Note:

Lizo Gqoboka will play in his 50th match for the Vodacom Bulls in the Vodacom Super Rugby tournament.

Kriel and De Jager to leave Vodacom Bulls

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The Blue Bulls Company (Pty) Ltd confirmed the departure of Springboks Lood de Jager and Jesse Kriel at the end of the current season and wished them well in their future endeavours.

De Jager will join Sale Sharks in England and Kriel is heading to Japan to play for the Canon Eagles.

The CEO of the BBC, Alfons Meyer, thanks the two Vodacom Bulls players for the legacy they will leave in Pretoria.

“There can be no doubt that both were very popular amongst our fans, not only because of their personalities, but also because of their passion for the Vodacom Bulls and their styles of play.

“Neither ever stopped trying to give 110% and both became Springboks that have graced the green and gold with much aplomb. We are sad to see them leave, but we cannot fault their contributions and commitments while they were here,” Meyer said.

“We wish them well in their careers.”

Kriel has played for the Vodacom Bulls 69 times, scoring 19 tries. He played in 40 tests this far and scored 12 tries.

De Jager played in 20 matches for the Vodacom Bulls (and 40 for the Toyota Cheetahs) in the Vodacom Super Rugby tournament. He has played in 39 tests so far, scoring four tries.