Vodacom URC debut for Cyle Brink against Scarlets

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Vodacom Bulls loose-forward, Cyle Brink, is set to make his Vodacom United Rugby Championship debut when his side takes on Welsh outfit, Scarlets Rugby, at Loftus Versfeld on Friday night.

The Vodacom Bulls will end what has been a demanding week of rugby with a visit from the Llanelli-based side, this on the back of a mid-week Carling Currie Cup win over Cell C Sharks on Wednesday and a historic Vodacom URC victory against Munster Rugby last Saturday.

The Tshwane-based side has made 10 changes to the team that was in action in the domestic match on Wednesday and four changes to the victorious team that was in action against Munster the past weekend.

“It has been a very busy week for us as a squad this week – playing three tough matches in a space of seven days in both the Vodacom URC and Carling Currie Cup,” said Vodacom Bulls director of rugby, Jake White, ahead of the game.

“Management of our playing personnel has been key this week. As a result, we have made a total of 10 changes to the team that was on duty on Wednesday night against the Cell C Sharks in the Carling Currie Cup.

“We have another tough match against a Scarlets team that has shown what a threat they can be I the Vodacom URC. We will need to be sharp and prepared to play an 80-minute game in what promises to be a highly competitive encounter.”

Some of the changes to the team from the match against Munster will see Canan Moodie earning a starting berth at wing, while Cornal Hendricks shifts to outside centre, where he will form a midfield pairing with Harold Vorster.

Zak Burger returns to the starting XV at scrumhalf, while in the forwards Brink will don the No7 jersey.

The match will kick-off at 19h10 on Friday, and it will be televised on SuperSport.

 

Vodacom Bulls team to face Scarlets

STARTERS (15-1): Kurt-Lee Arendse (Betway Centurion), Canan Moodie (Pretoria), Cornal Hendricks (Northam Rhinos), Harold Vorster (Northam Rhinos), Madosh Tambwe (Pretoria), Chris Smith (Harlequins), Zak Burger (Tuine); Elrigh Louw (UP Tuks), Cyle Brink (Betway Centurion), Marcell Coetzee (CAPT, ABE Midas Naka Bulle), Ruan Nortje (ABE Midas Naka Bulle), Walt Steenkamp (Tuine), Jacques van Rooyen (Tuine), Johan Grobbelaar (UP Tuks), Gerhard Steenekamp (ABE Midas Naka Bulle).

IMPACT (16-23): Joe van Zyl (Harlequins), Simphiwe Matanzima (ABE Midas Naka Bulle), Robert Hunt (Harlequins), Reinhardt Ludwig (UP Tuks), Arno Botha (ABE Midas Naka Bulle); Keagan Johannes (UP Tuks), Morne Steyn (Tuine), Lionel Mapoe (Pretoria).

Arno Botha to lead Vodacom Bulls against Cell C Sharks

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The Vodacom Bulls are expecting a tough Carling Currie Cup contest when they face the Cell C Sharks in a crucial match at Loftus Versfeld on Wednesday night.

Vodacom Bulls head coach, Gert Smal, has made a handful of changes to the team that made a successful trip to Kimberley a week and a half ago, where they claimed an important 27-53 win against Tafel Lager Griquas.

Cyle Brink will make a return to the Vodacom Bulls side after recovering from a hamstring injury he sustained in the opening match of the Carling Currie Cup season earlier in the year. He will start in the No6 jersey alongside loose trio partners Arno Botha, who will captain the side, and WJ Steenkamp.

Kowie Roos, who made his Vodacom Bulls and Carling Currie Cup debut off the bench in Kimberley, has earned himself a starting berth at tighthead prop, where he will buckle down alongside Lizo Gqoboka at loosehead prop and hooker, Schalk Erasmus.

Morne Steyn will earn a starting berth at flyhalf where he will form a halfback pairing with Keagan Johannes, who will start at No9.

The Vodacom Bulls are bracing themselves for a bruising battle against an unbeaten Cell C Sharks team that claimed a 10-24 win over Airlink Pumas in their previous outing.

“The Cell C Sharks, alongside the Toyota Cheetahs, remain the only teams to have won all four of their matches so far. It goes to show how much of a quality side they are and that they are strong contenders, once again, for the Carling Currie Cup title,” said Smal.

“There will be no room for error against a side that will punish us if we are not clinical. We will therefore need to be at our best if we want to get back to winning ways at Loftus Versfeld.”

The match between the Vodacom Bulls and Cell C Sharks will kick off at 20h00, and it will be televised on SuperSport.

The Vodacom Bulls team to face Cell C Sharks is:

STARTERS (15-1): Kurt-Lee Arendse (Betway Centurion), Canan Moodie (Pretoria), Lionel Mapoe (Pretoria), Harold Vorster (Northam Rhinos), Madosh Tambwe (Pretoria), Morne Steyn (Tuine), Keagan Johannes (UP Tuks); WJ Steenkamp (Tuine), Arno Botha (CAPT, ABE Midas Naka Bulle), Cyle Brink (Betway Centurion), Janko Swanepoel (Pretoria), Walt Steenkamp (Tuine), Kowie Roos (Pretoria), Schalk Erasmus (Tuine), Lizo Gqoboka (ABE Midas Naka Bulle).

IMPACT (16-23): Johan Grobbelaar (UP Tuks), Gerhard Steenekamp (ABE Midas Naka Bulle), Jacques van Rooyen (Tuine), Ruan Nortje (ABE Midas Naka Bulle), Elrigh Louw (UP Tuks); Marco Jansen van Vuren (Pretoria), Chris Smith (Harlequins), Cornal Hendricks (Northam Rhinos).

 

 

VODACOM URC: Vodacom Bulls name unchanged starting XV for Munster Rugby clash

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The Vodacom Bulls have opted for consistency ahead of their Vodacom United Rugby Challenge encounter against Irish side, Munster Rugby, at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.

Vodacom Bulls director of rugby, Jake White, has made no changes to his side’s starting XV for the match, opting to continue with the same team that impressed in the side’s 7-45 win against Zebre Parma in their previous Vodacom URC outing.

Veteran flyhalf, Morne Steyn, will make a return to the match-day squad as he provides cover from the bench after completing an initial three-week ban which was reduced to two weeks.

The Tshwane-based side has been hard at work this week in preparation for what they expect to be one of their toughest matches of the season so far.

Munster Rugby has shown some good form this season, winning eight of their eleven fixtures so far.

The Irish side will be on a high following a dominant 64-3 win over Welsh side, Dragons, in their most recent fixture a week ago.

“We have a tough challenge ahead of us this weekend against a quality outfit in Munster Rugby. They have been one of the standout sides in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship so far this season. To manage to claim a record of eight wins in their 11 matches is no small feat,” said White ahead of the game.

“Munster Rugby may be without some of their internationals this week, but they remain a strong side with other international players like Springbok World Cup winner, Damian de Allende, in their squad. This is a great opportunity for our players to test themselves against some of the best players in the world.”

The match will kick-off at 16h05 on Saturday, and it will be televised on SuperSport.

The Vodacom Bulls team to take on Munster Rugby is:

STARTERS (15-1): Kurt-Lee Arendse (Betway Centurion), Cornal Hendricks (Northam Rhinos), Lionel Mapoe (Pretoria), Harold Vorster (Northam Rhinos), Madosh Tambwe (Pretoria), Chris Smith (Harlequin), Embrose Papier (UP Tuks); Elrigh Louw (UP Tuks), Arno Botha (ABE Midas Naka Bulle), Marcell Coetzee (CAPT, ABE Midas Naka Bulle), Ruan Nortje (ABE Midas Naka Bulle), Walt Steenkamp (Tuine), Jacques van Rooyen (Tuine), Johan Grobbelaar (UP Tuks), Gerhard Steenekamp (ABE Midas Naka Bulle).

IMPACT (16-23): Bismarck du Plessis (Betway Centurion), Simphiwe Matanzima (ABE Midas Naka Bulle), Robert Hunt (Harlequin), Janko Swanepoel (Pretoria), WJ Steenkamp (Tuine), Zak Burger (Tuine), Morne Steyn (Tuine), Canan Moodie (Pretoria)

VODACOM URC: Vodacom Bulls preparing for bruising battle against world-class Munster side

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The visiting Munster Rugby side may be without some of their Irish internationals, but they remain a world-class outfit, warns Vodacom Bulls pivot, Chris Smith, ahead of the two sides’ Vodacom United Rugby Championship clash this weekend.

Loftus Versfeld will be the setting for the much-anticipated clash between the Tshwane-based side and the Irish giants on Saturday, with kick-off at 16h05.

The visitors are on their tour of South Africa without at least nine of their players who are on national duty for Ireland ahead of Saturday’s 6 Nations match against England. However, Munster Rugby has travelled with a strong and experienced squad that will prove to be a threat on the tour.

“I know most of the Irish internationals are away, but there are a few guys who have international caps who are not currently with the Irish squad,” said Smith in the build-up to Saturday’s Vodacom URC encounter.

“They are definitely a world-class outfit and have had a good run of recent results, hammering a few sides on the way. We have a tough challenge awaiting us this weekend.”

In their arsenal, Munster Rugby will have Springbok centre, Damian de Allende, who has recently recovered from an abdomen injury. He is one of a handful of South African-born players, including Jean Kleyn and Chris Cloete, in the Irish side’s squad.

The Vodacom Bulls will be well-acquainted with the World Cup-winning midfielder and will be wary of the threat he will pose.

“De Allende is a world-class No12. So that [his return from injury] will change the dynamic, and we will have to be at our best if we want to put Munster to the sword,” said Smith.

“He is a big ball-carrier and at the same time he has great feet, and he has an unbelievable pass.”

The 27-year-old flyhalf is relishing the opportunity to test himself against some of the best players in the business in the Vodacom URC. This weekend will be no different, he reckons.

“What you want is to be constantly playing against international opposition,” he said.

“And for me, it will be a good challenge this weekend and a great opportunity to measure myself against one of the top flyhalves, like Jack Crowley, in the Vodacom URC.”

The Vodacom Bulls will be hoping altitude and the heat in the capital city will play to their advantage against the touring Irish side on Saturday.

“We always see when the coastal sides come up to Loftus Versfeld that they do battle with altitude. We will be hoping that this weekend the sun will come out to play,” said Smith.

“We have a 16h05 kick-off and hopefully the sun will be cooking and that will be more in our favour, together with the altitude.

“Hopefully on Saturday we can execute our plan that we’ve put in place, and hopefully we will get a good result.”

 

CARLING CURRIE CUP: Balanced Vodacom Bulls side ready for Kimberley showdown

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The Vodacom Bulls will head to Kimberley, where they will face the Tafel Lager Griquas in a Carling Currie Cup clash, with a loaded team.

The two sides will meet at Tafel Lager Park at 14h30 tomorrow where both sides will be looking to claim bragging rights after weeks of no action in the domestic competition.

Tafel Lager Griquas beat DHL Western Province 22-20 in their last outing at home on February 18, while the Vodacom Bulls went down 25-38 to the Toyota Cheetahs on February 2 – their last bit of action in the Carling Currie Cup.

The Vodacom Bulls have selected a strong side for the encounter which is expected to be a thrilling battle between the two sides.

The Tshwane-based side will see several players who featured in last weekend’s Vodacom United Rugby Championship win over Zebre Parma, in Italy, turning out on Saturday.

Captain, Marcell Coetzee, will spearhead the star-studded team which includes, among others, Kurt-Lee Arendse, Cornal Hendricks, Chris Smith, and Embrose Papier in the backline.

In the forwards pack, alongside Coetzee, will be Arno Botha, Walt Steenkamp, Bismarck du Plessis and Simphiwe Matanzima.

Vodacom Bulls Carling Currie Cup head coach, Gert Smal, said ahead of the game: “The Tafel Lager Griquas have shown some good form so far this season and everybody knows how tough of an opponent they always are on the domestic scene. We, therefore, expect an exceptionally tough match against them, especially at their home ground.

“We will have to be at our best if we want to claim a good result. We have a good blend of experience and exciting youth in our squad, and we hope that our preparations over the past few weeks will come together this weekend.”

The match will be televised on SuperSport tomorrow.

 The Vodacom Bulls team to face Tafel Lager Griquas is:

STARTERS (15-1): Kurt-Lee Arendse (Betway Centurion), Canan Moodie (Pretoria), Stedman Gans (Northam Rhinos), Cornal Hendricks (Northam Rhinos), Richard Kriel (Tuine), Chris Smith (Harlequins), Embrose Papier (UP Tuks); Muller Uys (UP Tuks), Arno Botha (ABE Midas Naka Bulle), Marcell Coetzee (CAPT, ABE Midas Naka Bulle), Janko Swanepoel (Pretoria), Walt Steenkamp (Tuine), Robert Hunt (Harlequins), Bismarck du Plessis (Betway Centurion), Simphiwe Matanzima (ABE Midas Naka Bulle).

IMPACT (16-23): Schalk Erasmus (Tuine), Lizo Gqoboka (ABE Midas Naka Bulle), Kowie Roos (Pretoria), Reinhardt Ludwig (UP Tuks), WJ Steenkamp (Tuine), Keagan Johannes (UP Tuks), Juan Mostert (Harlequins), Lionel Mapoe (Pretoria).

 

CARLING CURRIE CUP: Vodacom Bulls wary of “giant-killers” from Kimberley

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The Vodacom Bulls will be wary of the “giant-killing” Tafel Lager Griquas when the two sides square up in Kimberley for a Carling Currie Cup clash tomorrow afternoon.

Vodacom Bulls head coach, Gert Smal, will announce his match-day squad tomorrow for the 23 who will travel to the Northern Cape with the hope of bouncing back from their defeat to the Toyota Cheetahs a month ago.

Vodacom Bulls assistant coach, Edgar Marutlulle, has in his playing career faced the Tafel Lager Griquas on a few occasions, and is aware of the dangers that could be posed by the side, especially in their own backyard.

“The Tafel Lager Griquas are always a giant-killer side in this competition,” he said ahead of the clash.

“They are a side that is well-known for causing upsets. So that is why preparations this week have been on point – we have not wasted a minute being complaisant in any way. We’ve taken them on as opposition and given them a proper preparation for the game.”

A month of being out of action in a competition can be a long time, but the Vodacom Bulls have kept themselves busy since their fixture against the Toyota Cheetahs on February 2. The side played in a warm-up match against the Leopards, while some of the squad members were on tour with the Vodacom United Rugby Championship side in Italy.

“It’s been a month since our last game. Fortunately, we had a warm-up game last week against the Leopards while some of our guys were on tour with the Vodacom URC,” said Marutlulle.

“Those guys provided some good competition in the Vodacom URC together with the guys who were in the Leopards game. We are on par in our preparations and we expect a good performance on the weekend.”

The match between the two sides will kick off at 14h30 tomorrow.

BLUE BULLS RUGBY UNION CLUB PLAYERS TO FACE INTERNATIONAL OPPOSITION

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The Carlton league finalists and Loftus 200 team will have the opportunity to test their mettle against quality international opposition when the Israeli side, the Tel Aviv Heat, will tour South Africa during March 2022 and play three matches against ABE Midas Naka Bulle, Northam Rhinos, and Loftus 200!

According to Mr. Willem Strauss, President of the Blue Bulls Rugby Union, this is a great opportunity to reward the best semi-professional players in the Bulls club structures.

BBRU President, Willem Strauss, and
Tel Aviv Heat head coach, Kevin Musikanth.

“Club rugby is a priority of our administration and in which all of our stakeholders, shareholders, Jake White, Edgar Rathbone, and sponsors, etc. have bought into,” said Strauss.

The Tel Aviv Heat competes in the Europe Super Cup Competition and has several South Africans such as Josh Strauss and Nic Groom, among others, playing for them. The team is also coached by a South African, Kevin Musikanth, who led the Ikeys to Varsity Cup glory in 2014.

According to Musikanth: “It’s truly fantastic to be able to be invited by the Blue Bulls Rugby Union to tour and give our talented squad exposure in one of the strongest rugby regions globally. This will be an amazing momentum-builder for our new franchise as we prepare for the upcoming Rugby Europe Super Cup season.

“We cannot wait to play against top clubs and, of course, the opportunity to play against the Loftus 200 team as a tour finale. We are very grateful for this opportunity from the Blue Bulls Rugby Union.”

The teams will contest the Robert Denton Cup in honour of the late Blue Bulls Rugby Union administrator who recently passed away.

The coaching staff for the Loftus 200 team consists of Morné Human (Head Coach: ABE Midas Naka Bulle), Flip de Kock (Northam Rhinos), and Danie “Tokkelos” Coetzee (former Vodacom Bulls and Springbok hooker) who is involved with Tuine Grizzlies Rugby Club.

The itinerary for the Tel Aviv Heat is as follows:

  • 19 March versus Northam Rhinos at Northam
  • 23 March versus ABE Midas Naka Bulle at Naka Bulle
  • 26 March versus Loftus 200 at Loftus Versfeld

According to Dr Eugene Hare, Chief Executive Officer of the BBRU, the 2022 addition of the Carlton League will kick off on 7 May 2022.

“After last season’s thrilling competition, we look forward to another exciting competition this year,” said Hare.

CARLING CURRIE CUP: Bok Gqoboka keen on potential first-ever game in Kimberley

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Lizo Gqoboka is one of a few Vodacom Bulls players who have seamlessly juggled focus between the Vodacom United Rugby Championship and Carling Currie Cup over the past few weeks.

If he is part of the Vodacom Bulls team that takes on the Tafel Lager Griquas in a Carling Currie Cup fixture this weekend, it will be the first time in his 10-year career that the 31-year-old Springbok prop gets to play the Northern Cape side in their own backyard in Kimberley.

“It’s going to be my first time playing down there,” said an excited Gqoboka ahead of the Vodacom Bulls’ travel to Kimberley this weekend.

“You know, in my whole career, I’ve never played in Kimberley, for some weird reason. There has always been something that came up whenever I’m about to play there.

“So, if I play this weekend, it will be my first time. For me, it’s exciting. People always talk about how tough it is to play there, and those are the type of games you want to test yourself – in different conditions.”

Despite not having tasted the experience of playing in Kimberley, Gqoboka is familiar with the opposition for the weekend.

The hard-working tighthead prop expects a tough challenge from the side from the Northern Cape.

“The one thing about the Tafel Lager Griquas has always been their physicality, and they always fight right up until the end. We expect exactly that on the weekend,” he said.

“We have seen that their set piece is quite strong. Their scrum has been one of the most dominant in the competition – we are aware of that, and we are excited about the challenge.

“The main thing will be that we will need to front up physically. They have grown as a team in terms of their balance between the set piece and they also play with intensity. Their kicking game is also very good. So, it’s a good challenge.

“You can never play for 60 minutes and think you are done because they fight until the end. We’ve seen them beating the so-called big team down in Kimberley, and also winning away. It speaks to the quality of players that they have and the quality of their coaches. It’s really going to be a good game with lots of excitement.”

Gqoboka is one of the Vodacom Bulls’ frontline players who has inter-changed between the Carling Currie Cup and Vodacom URC effortlessly so far this season, and the Bok front-rower is relishing the opportunity.

“For us at the Vodacom Bulls, it is not that difficult [to juggle between the two competitions]. We have seen guys doubling up – Morne Steyn, Bismarck du Plessis, myself, and others – we play Carling Currie Cup on a Wednesday and Vodacom URC on a Saturday. Because we have one squad everybody gets an opportunity for game time. If you are not playing in the Vodacom URC, you do play in the Carling Currie Cup,” he said.

The match between the Vodacom Bulls and Tafel Lager Griquas will kick off at 14h30 on Saturday, and it will be televised on SuperSport.

Vodacom Bulls’ Carling Currie Cup head coach, Gert Smal, will announce his team for the fixture on Friday.

 

 

Three changes for Vodacom Bulls ahead of Zebre Parma clash

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The Vodacom Bulls have made three changes to their team that will take on Zebre Parma in a Vodacom United Rugby Championship Round 10 match at the Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi on Friday night.

A forced change following the suspension of the experienced pivot, Morné Steyn, who will miss the next three matches for the Vodacom Bulls, sees the reliable Chris Smith earning a starting berth in the No10 jersey. He will form a half-back pairing with Embrose Papier, who is promoted from the bench from the side’s previous match against the Emirates Lions a fortnight ago.

The versatile Kurt-Lee Arendse makes his way back into the starting XV, where he will start at fullback, forming a formidable back trio, alongside the experienced Cornal Hendricks and explosive Madosh Tambwe, who will be the starting wingers.

Continuity among the forwards sees no changes being made in the starting pack.

Vodacom Bulls director of rugby, Jake White, said ahead of the game: “We are looking forward to being back in action in the Vodacom URC, following a week’s break after our previous match against the Cell C Sharks.

“We are expecting a tough challenge against Zebre Parma, in their own backyard at Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi. We are looking forward to an entertaining game of rugby, with our aim, of course, being an effort to return home with another overseas win under our belts.”

The match will kick off at 19h30. The match will be televised on SuperSport.

 

The Vodacom Bulls team to face Zebre Parma is:

STARTERS (15-1): Kurt-Lee Arendse (Betway Centurion), Cornal Hendricks (Northam Rhinos), Lionel Mapoe (Pretoria), Harold Vorster (Northam Rhinos), Madosh Tambwe (Pretoria), Chris Smith (Harlequins), Embrose Papier (FNB Tuks); Elrigh Louw (FNB Tuks), Arno Botha (ABE Midas Naka Bulle), Marcell Coetzee (CAPT, ABE Midas Naka Bulle), Ruan Nortje (ABE Midas Naka Bulle), Walt Steenkamp (Tuine), Jacques van Rooyen (Tuine), Johan Grobbelaar (FNB Tuks), Gerhard Steenekamp (ABE Midas Naka Bulle)

IMPACT (16-23): Bismarck du Plessis (Betway Centurion), Simphiwe Matanzima (ABE Midas Naka Bulle), Robert Hunt (Harlequins), Janko Swanepoel (Pretoria), WJ Steenkamp (Tuine); Keagan Johannes (FNB Tuks), Ruan Mostert (Harlequins), Canan Moodie (Pretoria)

Vodacom Bulls name 28-man squad ahead of Zebre Parma clash

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The Vodacom Bulls have named the squad travelling to Parma, Italy, where they will take on Zebre Parma in a Vodacom United Rugby Championship clash on Friday

The squad left South Africa on Monday and is expected to arrive in Italy today, where they will continue their preparations for their first overseas match since last October.

Despite the side going into the match without the services of experienced flyhalf Morné Steyn, who will be serving the first of his three-match ban following a red card in the Vodacom Bulls’ previous fixture against the Cell C Sharks, the side from Pretoria has selected a strong squad.

 The touring squad is:

FORWARDS:
Lizo Gqoboka, Gerhard Steenekamp, Simphiwe Matanzima, Jacques van Rooyen, Robert Hunt, Bismarck du Plessis, Johan Grobbelaar, Joe van Zyl, Walt Steenkamp, Ruan Nortje, Janko Swanepoel, Marcell Coetzee, Arno Botha, Elrigh Louw, WJ Steenkamp, Reinhardt Ludwig.

BACKS:
Embrose Papier, Keagan Johannes, Marco Jansen van Vuren, Chris Smith, Juan Mostert, Harold Vorster, Lionel Mapoe, Stedman Gans, Cornal Hendricks, Madosh Tambwe, Canan Moodie, Kurt-Lee Arendse.