Vodacom Bulls secure Werner Kruger as front row consultant

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The Vodacom Bulls are excited to announce the inclusion of former prop, Werner Kruger, as a coaching consultant focused on working with the team’s front row.

The 36-year-old former Springbok was, up until he retired from rugby last year, one of the most experienced tighthead props after having been capped well over 100 times each for the Vodacom Bulls in Super Rugby and the Carling Currie Cup before adding another century of caps at the Welsh club, Scarlets, where he ended his playing career.

“We are pleased to have been able to call on Werner Kruger as a consultant who will work with our front row, with immediate effect,” confirmed Vodacom Bulls director of rugby, Jake White.

“Werner was one of the most respected tighthead props, not only in South Africa but overseas as well where he became a legend at Scarlets in Wales. He is somebody who knows the Vodacom Bulls culture intimately and his expertise will be of great value to our group of props currently.

“We look forward to seeing his influence and have no doubt that with his contribution we are bound to see an improvement from our front row, particularly the props.”

Kruger’s playing career at the Vodacom Bulls began in 2003, spanning until his move to Wales in 2016, where he remained committed to Scarlets in Llanelli until last year.

He was part of the SA Under-21 team for two years in 2005 and 2006 before his selection for the Emerging Springboks team in 2010. Kruger earned four Springbok caps between 2011 and 2012.

Hendricks to lead strong Vodacom Bulls team in Carling Currie Cup opener

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Cornal Hendricks will captain a strong Vodacom Bulls team in their opening match of the side’s Carling Currie Cup defence when they take on the Pumas at the Mbombela Stadium on Friday night.

Vodacom Bulls’ Carling Currie Cup head coach, Gert Smal, has selected a strong starting XV and an exciting group of replacements on the bench.

“We have put in some good, hard work over the past few weeks in preparation for the Carling Currie Cup, which promises to be a tough competition yet again this season. We are looking forward to seeing all of that work come together this weekend,” said Smal.

“The Pumas, particularly on their own turf in Mbombela, have always proven to be a tough opposition. We have no doubts that our match on Friday will be another hard-fought battle to kick-off the tournament.”

The match will kick off at 19h00 and will be televised on SuperSport.

 The Vodacom Bulls team to take on Pumas is:

Forwards (1-8): Gerhard Steenekamp, Johan Grobbelaar, Jacques van Rooyen, Walt Steenkamp, Ruan Nortje, Jaco Labuschagne, Elrigh Louw, Arno Botha.

Backline (9-15): Embrose Papier, Chris Smith, Richard Kriel, Cornal Hendricks (Capt), David Kriel, Madosh Tambwe, Kurt-Lee Arendse.

Replacements (16-23): Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Lizo Gqoboka, Robert Hunt, Sintu Manjezi, WJ Steenkamp, Zak Burger, Juan Mostert, Stedman Gans.

 

Vodacom Bulls announce coaching team for Carling Currie Cup

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The Vodacom Bulls are pleased to confirm a skilled team of coaches that will oversee the Carling Currie Cup campaign alongside head coach, Gert Smal.

The Tshwane-based side last month announced the arrival of former Springbok assistant coach, Smal, at Loftus to spearhead the team to their domestic title defense.

The former Bok flanker will be ably assisted by competent coaching staff in the campaign which kicks off with a visit to Mbombela on Friday where the Vodacom Bulls will face the Pumas.

Former Vodacom Bulls Under-20 coaches Pine Pienaar (defence coach), Hayden Groepes (backs and attack coach), Edgar Marutlulle (scrum coach) will take up their reins in the Carling Currie Cup team.

“We are privileged at the Vodacom Bulls to have several talented coaches within our structures,” said Vodacom Bulls director of rugby, Jake White.

“A knowledgeable coach like Gert will certainly find comfort in being surrounded by an experienced coach like Pine Pienaar, a hard-working and committed individual like Hayden Groepes, and one of the most promising player-turned-coach in Edgar Marutlulle.

“We have no doubt that this team of coaches and the squad of players that we have will continue to fly the Vodacom Bulls flag high in the Carling Currie Cup this year.”

The Vodacom Bulls’ Carling Currie Cup coaching team is:

Head Coach – Gert Smal

Defence Coach – Pine Pienaar

Backs & Attack Coach – Hayden Groepes

Scrum Coach – Edgar Marutlulle

Steyn shifts focus from Bok kicks to Be that Dad

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Morné Steyn had just come back from training with the Vodacom Bulls. He was still in his training kit when he went into the backyard with his two young boys. They’d given him a challenge – two forward somersaults on their trampoline. Steyn ran with that challenge like a pop pass from Marcell Coetzee and pulled it off to perfection. Why? Because he’s determined to “Be That Dad”.

That’s the spirit one of the most decorated Springboks in history is bringing to his life beyond the green and gold. And that’s also the spirit Steyn will bring to the 2022 Vodacom RED Father and Son Campout at Loftus Versfeld on the weekend of 5-6 March, when dads and their lads will take their shared love of rugby and build their bonds to be stronger than a Vodacom Bulls front row.

And such is the strength of the bond between Steyn and his sons that it played a major role in his decision to walk away from his Springbok family, and spend more time with his real family.

“It was a good time for me to finish it off. In 2009 I started with the British and Irish Lions series, and I finished off again with them. It was just a nice circle to finish the whole thing off,” Steyn says of this decision.

“My sons are now starting all of their school sport and it’s cricket and rugby matches now for them. It’s going to be great to be able to watch some of their games, and just to spend more time with my family in general.”

Steyn’s Vodacom Bulls family will still be very much in his plans though.

“I’ve signed another year with the Vodacom Bulls so I’ll be involved there until June 2023. That will keep me busy and sharp and able to keep up with youngsters. I just want to enjoy my rugby at the Vodacom Bulls. I have maybe two years left in me, and then I’ll probably be finished. We have a great team vibe at the Vodacom Bulls. There is a bright future for this team in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship. It honestly feels like we’re back at that stage of Vodacom Super Rugby from 2007 to 2010 where we’re building up a nice team. I think there is a great balance between the youngsters and experienced players like myself and Bismarck du Plessis and Marcell Coetzee. And I just want to enjoy my time there.”

But for now, Steyn wants his greatest focus to be on his role as a father. In an era when men are constantly being told to “Be All You Can Be”, Steyn has chosen to “Be That Dad”. That dad who shows up. That dad who stands on the sidelines of a school rugby field and helps his boys kick for posts. And who maybe also lends a hand to a few other boys who’ll inevitably join in.

“Whenever I want to kick a bit with my boys, then all the other kids want to join in. And that’s great. Then the dads also want to get involved and have a nice rugby chat.”

He’ll make the time to chat because Morné Steyn knows exactly what it means to all of them – himself included – to be part of this rugby family.

The return of the Vodacom RED Father and Son Campout promises to be bigger and better. Vodacom RED VIP clients and their sons will be given the exclusive opportunity to camp under the highveld skies at Loftus Versfeld. Great food, sweet treats, and other delightful eats will be provided, as well as fun and exciting activities to encourage quality time for fathers and their sons.

As a Vodacom RED VIP client, if you want to join Steyn at Loftus Versfeld and “Be That Dad”, then register on the Vodacom Bulls App between 10 January and 11 February 2022: https://bit.ly/BeThatDad2022

 

Matanzima reflects on year of ‘improvements’

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As the year draws to a close, with the Vodacom Bulls having enjoyed the success of back-to-back Carling Currie Cup titles and getting a taste of the Vodacom United Rugby Championship, assiduous prop, Simphiwe Matanzima, reflects positively on the year that was.

The 24-year-old loosehead prop proved himself to be an instrumental figure in the Vodacom Bulls team throughout the year with some key performances and establishing himself as one of the players to look out for in South African rugby. This after some struggles with injury in previous seasons.

“It’s nice to be back,” reflected the Eastern Cape-born Matanzima.

“Especially coming into a new system with a winning culture which we have seen this year. I’m enjoying the game again. It feels awesome and I can’t wait to build on that.”

While vying for a spot in a team full of talented front-rowers which include Lizo Gqoboka and Gerhard Steenekamp among his positional competitors, Matanzima has added to the healthy internal team competition.

So impressive was Matanzima this year that he earned a spot in the inaugural Carling Champions Team that took on Kenya at Loftus Versfeld on November 6. An added feather to his cap was the fact that he was appointed captain of the team that emerged as 85-17 victors over the East African nation, proving his capabilities as a leader.

A proven strong scrummager, Matanzima is pleased with the progress his side has been making in the set pieces, especially after having to venture into new territory – playing on unfamiliar 4G pitches on their tour of Europe at the start of the Vodacom URC.

“I don’t think we need to change much in terms of our scrums. Playing in the Northern Hemisphere, with the different interpretations from the refs, was a bit of a challenge in the previous games, and also playing on those 4G pitches and getting used to that.

“We just look forward to big scrum battles going forward. We need to stick to our principles and continue doing what we do best.

“This year we were at the top during the Carling Currie Cup. I think we are all improving as front row and [forwards] coach Russell Winter is doing a good job with us. We are all looking to improve and get better every time.”

Exciting Vodacom Bulls team to face Cell C Sharks

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Tighthead prop, Robert Hunt, will earn his first starting berth for the Vodacom Bulls when they take on a strong Cell C Sharks team in a Vodacom United Rugby Championship clash at Jonsson Kings Park on Friday night.

Vodacom Bulls director of rugby, Jake White, announced an exciting 23-man squad that will face a Cell C Sharks team that is loaded with international players in the South African derby, which will be a repeat of the previous two editions of the domestic Carling Currie Cup final.

Hunt, who made his debut and played off the bench on the Vodacom Bulls’ four-week tour of Europe in the opening rounds of the Vodacom URC, will buckle down alongside Gerhard Steenekamp at loosehead prop, with the experienced Bismarck du Plessis starting at hooker.

A few positional switches in the backline will make for an exciting battle against what could potentially be an almost all-Springbok backline for the home side.

Kurt-Lee Arendse will start in the No15 jersey while David Kriel will get an opportunity at outside centre, alongside Cornal Hendricks.

Richard Kriel will earn his Vodacom URC debut when he lines up on the left wing.

The Vodacom Bulls expect a tough encounter in Durban against a dangerous Cell C Sharks outfit.

“This is such a big week. It’s not only a local derby, but the game that we have played in the Carling Currie Cup final twice now,” White said.

“They’ve got all these international players, that says a lot for their squad. At home with that kind of team, there is a little bit of a buzz now. It’s like a test match for us, and we are looking forward to it.

“We are looking forward to seeing where we are. We will see Marcell Coetzee getting a crack to play against Siya (Kolisi), you get Bismarck du Plessis and Grobbies (Johan Grobbelaar) playing against Bongi (Mbonambi), and that list goes on.”

The match will kick off at 19h00 and it will be televised on SuperSport.

 

The Vodacom Bulls to take on the Cell C Sharks is (15-9; 1-8):

Starting XV: Kurt-Lee Arendse, Madosh Tambwe, David Kriel, Cornal Hendricks, Richard Kriel, Morné Steyn, Embrose Papier; Gerhard Steenekamp, Bismarck du Plessis, Robert Hunt, Walt Steenkamp, Ruan Nortje, Marcell Coetzee (CAPT), Arno Botha, Elrigh Louw.

Replacements: Johan Grobbelaar, Simphiwe Matanzima, Lizo Gqoboka, Jacques du Plessis, Sintu Manjezi, Zak Burger, Chris Smith, Harold Vorster.

Grobbelaar hungry for game time ahead of Vodacom Bulls v Sharks clash

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After spending some time with the Springboks, Johan Grobbelaar is itching to get onto the field and continue where he left off at the Vodacom Bulls. The Tshwane-based side continues their Vodacom United Rugby Championship campaign when they take on the Cell C Sharks in a South African derby at Jonsson Kings Park on Friday night.

Grobbelaar is yet to get a taste of the Vodacom URC after last turning out for the Vodacom Bulls in the successful Carling Currie Cup campaign before he received a call up to join the Springbok squad for the Rugby Championship in Australia.

“It was a great opportunity to be part of the Springboks setup. I was very surprised and excited to get the call up. It was great to see how the system works. But now I’m just looking forward to playing for the Vodacom Bulls and getting some game time,” the 23-year-old hooker said.

Grobbelaar will be vying for a spot in the Vodacom Bulls team that will face the Cell C Sharks on Friday night. He acknowledges the healthy competition within the squad and is aware that he needs to earn his place among equally talented hookers which include Bismarck du Plessis, Schalk Erasmus, Sidney Tobias, and Jan-Hendrik Wessels.

Once the explosive hooker has bagged a few Vodacom URC caps, he will hope that he continues to impress with his performances and ultimately make a return to the national setup and in the process earn some test experience.

“The next step comes with time. For now, one just needs to do what they need to do every week – play good rugby,” said the level-headed Grobbelaar.

“There are a lot of good hookers at the moment. My focus now is to continue playing and doing well for the Vodacom Bulls, then any other opportunity can follow. Just to get some game time and be on the field is very important for now. If I can play consistently week in, week out my chance will come.”

The Vodacom Bulls match against the Cell C Sharks will kick off at 19h00 on Friday.

Excitement peaks ahead of Vodacom Bulls and Munster clash tomorrow

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The excitement of playing in front of a home crowd at Loftus Versfeld when the Vodacom Bulls take on Munster Rugby in a Vodacom United Rugby Championship has reached a peak as the clash approaches.

After beginning their Vodacom URC campaign with four matches on tour in Ireland, Wales, and Scotland, the Vodacom Bulls are eager to face their European opponents in their own backyard, and a tough Munster Rugby side will be the first to visit Fortress Loftus tomorrow.

A thrilling encounter is expected, and Vodacom Bulls No8, Elrigh Louw, has been keeping a close eye on the visiting Irish side that has claimed four wins out of five games so far in their campaign.

“I rate them quite highly. They are a top-class side, and with a coaching staff like they have, you can never underestimate them,” is Louw’s assessment.

“I think they will bring a good kicking game, and a very good game on the ground, in the rucks. But we also have our own plans, and we are not focusing on them more than we are focusing on our own game.”

Talk ahead of the clash has suggested that the Vodacom Bulls will have a point to prove and attempt to stamp their authority as one of the front-runners among the South African contingent in the Vodacom URC. This follows their dominance in recent domestic competitions.

However, the 22-year-old Louw has downplayed suggestions that the Tshwane-based side has anything to prove.

“We wouldn’t say we have a point to prove. I think we just owe ourselves a good performance. We just need to show what we can do here at Loftus,” he said.

“We are now back at Loftus, our fortress, so it’s going to be a good game.”

Following his arrival at the Vodacom Bulls at the end of 2020, Louw has given some consistent, stellar performances for the side which has placed him among the list of young players expected to don the green and gold of the Springboks one day.

The versatile loose-forward indicated that his focus is on ensuring that he remains in good physical shape, and he contributes to the Vodacom Bulls’ cause before his career is catapulted to the next level, international rugby – a dream that remains for him.

“Personally, I’m feeling very good, I’m in good shape. We have been working hard on our individual skills and sharpening them up over the past few weeks. I think the team will be a lot sharper now that we all know what’s coming,” he said.

“I think every day, for the rest of my career, I will always have ambitions of playing for the Springboks. I will never throw that ambition and dream of mine out of the window, no matter how long it takes.”

The match between the Vodacom Bulls and Munster Rugby will kick off at 19h45 tomorrow.

 

Limited tickets available for Vodacom Bulls home match

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Loftus Versfeld was a hive of activity as we returned to some form of normality with a limited number of spectators during the recent Carling Champions Match.

Having spectators at the stadium has increased the excitement ahead of the Vodacom Bulls’ first two home matches of the Vodacom United Rugby Championship.  Irish side, Munster Rugby, will be the first opposition to play the Vodacom Bulls (on Saturday, November 27) and they will be followed by a visit from Welsh outfit, Scarlets, on December 3.

The Vodacom Bulls have noted the increasing interest from supporters who want to be part of the first group of fans to cheer their side on when they return to Vodacom URC action.  However, due to the restricted numbers of people allowed at sporting venues, as per the Government Gazette and Disaster Management Act, Loftus Versfeld is only able to make available a limited number of tickets for general public sales.

There are a limited number of tickets that will be sold for the Vodacom Bulls’ match against Munster Rugby, at R150.00 for a seat on the Main Stand, on a “first come, first served” basis.  Buyers will be limited to a maximum of four (4) tickets per person.

Ticket sales opened at 09h00 today, Wednesday, November 24.  Purchases can be made online on www.ticketpros.co.za or at the Loftus Versfeld ticket office which trades Monday to Friday, between 09h00 and 16h00.

Blue Bulls Company CEO, Edgar Rathbone, explained: “We have been overwhelmed with queries and requests for tickets to our upcoming home fixtures, and we deeply appreciate the support and interest from Vodacom Bulls and general rugby fans.  However, it is important to firstly note that we are still facing and maneuvering our way around the Covid-19 pandemic.

“As such, we are restricted to accommodate only 2 000 spectators per match.  After 20 months of not having fans at our Vodacom Bulls home matches, it is understandable that there would be a desire to flock to the stadium.  We are pleased to be able to open ticket sales for our general supporters, while we are also able to offer tickets to our commercial partners – those being our sponsors, suite owners, and season ticket holders.

“We remain hopeful that we will soon see an increase in the number of people permitted at sporting venues, and we too will be able to accommodate more of our supporters as we slowly work towards returning to full capacity in future.”

It is important to note and adhere to the following guidelines, as per the Government Gazette and Disaster Management Act:

  • Spectators will be required to be fully vaccinated 14 days after receiving the Johnson & Johnson vaccine or 14 after receiving the second PFIZER vaccine.
  • Only persons with a valid ticket, valid ID, and valid vaccination certificate will be permitted to enter the facility.  Vaccination certificates can be downloaded on: https://vaccine.certificate.health.gov.za
  • No unvaccinated children between the ages of 12 and 18 years will be permitted to enter the facility.
  • Children under the age of 12 are allowed at the venue.
  • No alcohol consumption will be allowed to be consumed at any sports events.
  • Full COVID 19 protocols will be observed: no mask no entry, social distancing must be maintained at all times.

The match will be played at 19h45 (SA time) on Saturday.

Vodacom Bulls return to training after deserved break

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The Vodacom Bulls immediately hit the ground running as they returned to training this week after a deserved break ahead of the resumption of their Vodacom United Rugby Championship campaign.

After close to a year of non-stop rugby for the Jake White-coached side, the players enjoyed a break at the end of their opening European tour, including tough encounters against Leinster Rugby, Connacht Cardiff Rugby, and Edinburgh Rugby.

With the home leg of the Vodacom URC kicking off with a clash against the Irish side, Munster Rugby, on November 27, the side began their preparations for the continuation of their 2021/22 season campaign.

“The break came at the right time for us after a grueling year of rugby. The body and mind needed some time away from rugby for everybody to refresh and connect with their loved ones. That is important for us,” said White.

“We are now back to focus on the work that lies ahead. We have two important matches before the end of the year against Munster and Scarlets (on December 3). We look forward to playing some rugby again, especially playing at home at Loftus Versfeld.”