Vodacom Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White continues to test combinations and positions, with Ruan Nortje shifting to blindside flank opening up space for lock Janko Swanepoel to start in the engine room against the Cell C Sharks at Jonsson Kings Park on Saturday, 12 June 2021.

Nortje’s move to the side of the scrum is a result of the injury to Elrigh Louw, while Springbok loose forward Marcell Coetzee takes over the captaincy and no.8 jumper from the injured Duane Vermeulen, with Marco van Staden covering openside flank against their Durban based opposition.

The rest of the starting line-up remains unchanged.

Springbok Nizaam Carr and Junior Springbok Muller Uys have received call ups to take the places of Swanepoel and Van Staden on the bench respectively.

The trip to Durban marks the end of the PRO14 Rainbow Cup SA regular season, with the Vodacom Bulls going into the game in pole position to contest the North vs South final. The Bulls will be looking to go all out in retaining the top spot, as the Pretoria franchise shifts a gear going into a knockout rugby mindset.

“We have approached this match as if it were a semi-final. Nothing less than a win is good enough. The boys need no further motivation and despite a few injuries, come Saturday we will be focused and determined to execute our plan,” said White.

Kick-off is scheduled for 18h15 with the match being televised live on SuperSport Grandstand and Rugby channels.

Vodacom Bulls:

• David Kriel (Betway Centurion)
• Madosh Tambwe (Pretoria)
• Marco Jansen van Vuren (Pretoria)
• Cornal Hendricks (Northam)
• Stravino Jacobs (Harlequins)
• Morné Steyn (Tuine)
• Ivan van Zyl (Tuine)
• Marcell Coetzee (ABE Midas Naka Bulle – C)
• Ruan Nortje (ABE Midas Naka Bulle)
• Marco van Staden (Pretoria)
• Janko Swanepoel (Pretoria)
• Walt Steenkamp (Betway Centurion)
• Mornay Smith (Betway Centurion)
• Johan Grobbelaar (Tukkies)
• Gerhard Steenekamp (ABE Midas Naka Bulle)

Replacements:

• Schalk Erasmus (Tuine)
• Jacques van Rooyen (Tuine)
• Trevor Nyakane (Harlequins)
• Nizaam Carr (Betway Centurion)
• Muller Uys (Tukkies)
• Keagan Johannes (Tukkies)
• Clinton Swart (Tukkies)
• Gio Aplon (Betway Centurion)
• Robert Hunt (Harlequins)
• Jan Uys (Pretoria)
• Dawid Kellerman (Pretoria)
• Richard Kriel (Tuine)

Match officials:

• Referee: AJ Jacobs
• AR1: Jaco Peyper
• AR2: Griffin Colby
• TMO: Stuart Berry

Frik du Preez, Northern Transvaal (Blue Bulls) Legend and SA’s Player of the 20^th Century, was honoured on Monday by the Blue Bulls Rugby Union when the Northern Pavilion at Loftus Versfeld was named after the former Springbok lock.

‘Oom’ Frik, who spent most of his career at lock or on the flanks, was born on 28 November 1935 and represented Northern Transvaal and the Springboks. He represented Springboks on 87 occasions and scored a total of 87 points while in the green jersey.

Du Preez made his test debut for the Springboks on 7 January 1961 on the flank against a powerful English team at Twickenham. He played his last test on 7 August 1971 at the age of 35, wearing the number 4 jersey, against Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

He was an excellent all-round footballer that often left crowds and opposition in awe of his skills. The rugby history books record one of his most memorable moments as “DIE DAG WAT FRIK DU PREEZ GEDROP, GEPLACE EN GESCORE HET”…  which describes the 1969 Currie Cup final between Northern Transvaal and Western Province. ‘Oom’ Frik put in a masterful performance that is still talked about today. The legendary lock managed to score in every manner when he kicked a penalty and a drop goal, before scoring a try and converting it. Northern Transvaal won the match 28-13.

Although he was not particularly tall standing at 1.89m, he was a tower of strength in the line-out. In addition, he had a fantastic turn of speed and fine running skills with ball in hand, as he showed in the try he scored against the British Lions in 1968.

 According to Willem Strauss, president of the Blue Bulls Rugby Union, honoring ‘Oom’ Frik further enhances the strategy to keep their values, traditions, and history strong. This also includes bringing back the light blue jersey, the Daisy and making the Carlton League strong again.

“Oom Frik is an all-time legend and thanks to him, the players before him and those that followed, Loftus Versfeld and the Vodacom Bulls became iconic in the world of rugby.”

Frik du Preez said that this accolade was a tremendous honor for him, and he would like to thank the BBRU for honoring him in this way, “I see this as a tribute to all former Northern Transvaal and Bulls players. Rugby is a team sport, and without my teammates, I would not have been able to achieve the success I did.”

Renaming the North Pavilion after Frik du Preez, forms part of the upgrading of the pavilion which will also include a Bulls Museum.

Springboks Arno Botha and Trevor Nyakane have been drafted into the matchday team that will host the Cell C Sharks in their Rainbow Cup SA clash at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday, 15 May 2021.

The duo’s inclusion at blindside flank and replacement prop sets the stage for an expected battle of epic proportions amongst the forwards.

A nod to Springbok flank Marco van Staden whose 22 tackles against the DHL Stormers disrupted proceedings to such an extent that their attack was stifled on several occasions.

The only other change sees flank Elrigh Louw shifting to the bench.

The top of the table clash between the current frontrunners is a tantalising thought with both teams enjoying victories over each other, and this weekend’s meeting shall be no different according to Vodacom Bulls: Director of Rugby, Jake White.

“We’ve had a few epic battles thus far and the Sharks will be keen to get one over us at Loftus as it is something they’ve yet to do,” said White.

“The forward tussle is going to set the tone while both backlines are brimming with relentless talent so it should make for an exciting but hard encounter,” he added.

Kick-off is scheduled for 18h15 with the match being broadcast live on SuperSport Grandstand and Rugby channels.

Vodacom Bulls:

15. David Kriel (Centurion)
16. Madosh Tambwe (Pretoria)
17. Marco Janse van Vuren (Pretoria)
18. Cornal Hendricks (Northam)
19. Stravino Jacobs (Harlequins)
20. Morné Steyn (Tuine)
21. Embrose Papier (Tukkies)
22. Duane Vermeulen (Harlequins, C)
23. Arno Botha (Naka Bulle)
24. Marco van Staden (Pretoria)
25. Ruan Nortje (Naka Bulle)
26. Walt Steenkamp (Centurion)
27. Mornay Smith (Centurion)
28. Johan Grobbelaar (Tukkies)
29. Gerhard Steenekamp (Nake Bulle)

Replacements:

24. Schalk Erasmus (Tuine)
25. Lizo Gqoboka (Naka Bulle)
26. Trevor Nyakane (Harlequins)
27. Janko Swanepoel (Pretoria)
28. Elrigh Louw (Tukkies)
29. Zak Burger (Tuine)
30. Chris Smith (Harlequins)
31. James Verity-Amm (Pretoria)
32. Jacques van Rooyen (Tuine)
33. Reinhardt Ludwig (U20)
34. Nizaam Carr (Centurion)
35. Keagan Johannes (Tukkies)

Match officials:

• Referee: Jaco Peyper
• AR1: Griffon Colby
• AR2: Paul Mente
• TMO: Marius van der Westhuizen

Vodacom Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White has adjusted his match-day squad slightly as they prepare to travel to the Cape where they will face the DHL Stormers at the Cape Town Stadium on Saturday, 8 May 2021.

Headlining the changes is the return of Springbok no.8 and #TrueToTheBlue captain Duane Vermeulen. He will resume the captaincy from fellow Springbok Nizaam Carr with Carr dropping to the bench, from where he will be looking to undoubtedly provide a crucial impact when called upon.

The backs have been adjusted slightly with a direct exchange as James Verity-Amm and Chris Smith switching out for David Kriel and Morné Steyn respectively.

The heavy men up front will only see one other change, outside of the return of Vermeulen, with Walt Steenkamp starting in the number 4 jumper as Janko Swanepoel shifts to the bench.

The Vodacom Bulls boasts a bench packed oozing with talent and like last weekend, will provide fresh legs and more energy.

“Last week certainly proved how vital it is that we continue getting as much competitive rugby under our belts,” said White. “The players need little motivation for another brutal North-South derby and we are definitely up for the challenge against a solid DHL Stormers outfit.”

Kick-off is scheduled for 18:15 with the match being broadcast live on SuperSport Grandstand and Rugby channels.

Vodacom Bulls (with clubs):

15. David Kriel (Centurion)
16. Madosh Tambwe (Pretoria)
17. Marco Jansen van Vuren (Pretoria)
18. Cornal Hendricks (Northam)
19. Stravino Jacobs (Harlequins)
20. Morné Steyn (Tuine)
21. Embrose Papier (Tukkies)
22. Duane Vermeulen (Harlequins, Captain)
23. Elrigh Louw (Tukkies)
24. Marco van Staden (Pretoria)
25. Ruan Nortje (Naka Bulle)
26. Walt Steenkamp (Centurion)
27. Mornay Smith (Centurion)
28. Johan Grobbelaar (Tukkies)
29. Gerhard Steenekamp (Naka Bulle)

Replacements:

16. Schalk Erasmus (Tuine)
17. Lizo Gqoboka (Naka Bulle)
18. Jacques van Rooyen (Tuine)
19. Janko Swanepoel (Pretoria)
20. Nizaam Carr (Centurion)
21. Zak Burger (Tuine)
22. Chris Smith (Harlequins)
23. James Verity-Amm (Pretoria)

24. Jan-Hendrik Wessels (Under 20)
25. Reinhardt Ludwig (Under 20)
26. Arno Botha (Naka Bulle)
27. Keagan Johannes (Tukkies)
28. Janco Uys (Tuine)

The Vodacom Bulls welcome back a wealth of experience as Director of Rugby Jake White named his matchday squad to battle the Emirates Lions at Loftus Versfeld on 1 May 2021.

The backs are headlined by new recruit James Verity-Amm who gets his first opportunity in the #TrueToTheBlue jersey at fullback while Madosh Tambwe and Stravino Jacobs will do duty on the wings.

Marco Jansen van Vuren links up with Springbok Cornal Hendricks in the midfield with Chris Smith entrusted with organising the backline at flyhalf alongside Springbok scrumhalf Embrose Papier.

Nizaam Carr continues as captain in the absence of fellow Springbok Duane Vermeulen while the flank duo of Elrigh Louw and Marco van Staden will undoubtedly cause havoc for their Jukskei neighbours.

The front row is one of raw talent as Mornay Smith and Gerhard Steenekamp will prop up hooker Johan Grobbelaar.

The replacement bench is not short of experience either as Springbok prop Lizo Gqoboka and the Policeman, Jacques van Rooyen, will bring fresh legs to the forward pack alongside lock Walt Steenkamp and Springbok loose forward Arno Botha.

“We have continued to test combinations as knowing this assists in us in getting the best out of every individual and I’m looking forward to watching them gel together on Saturday against a formidable Lions’ outfit,” said White.

Kick-off is scheduled for 19:00 with the match being televised live on SuperSport.

Vodacom Bulls: 15. James Verity-Amm (Pretoria), 14. Madosh Tambwe (Pretoria), 13. Marco Jansen van Vuren (Pretoria), 12. Cornal Hendricks (Northam), 11. Stravino Jacobs (Harlequins), 10. Chris Smith (Harlequins), 9. Embrose Papier (Tukkies), 8. Nizaam Carr (Centurion), 7. Elrigh Louw (Tukkies), 6. Marco van Staden (Pretoria), 5. Ruan Nortje (Naka Bulle), 4. Janko Swanepoel (Pretoria), 3. Mornay Smith (Centurion), 2. Johan Grobbelaar (Tukkies), 1. Gerhard Steenekamp (Harlequins).

Replacements: 16. Joe van Zyl (Harlequins), 17. Lizo Gqoboka (Naka Bulle), 18. Jacques van Rooyen (Tuine), 19. Walt Steenkamp (Centurion), 20. Arno Botha (Naka Bulle), 21. Zak Burger (Tuine), 22. Morné Steyn (Tuine), 23. David Kriel, 24. Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 25. Reinhardt Ludwig, 26. Tim Agaba (Tukkies), 27. Diego Appollis (Naka Bulle).