GUMEDE IMPRESSES ON DEBUT AS VODACOM BULLS REGISTER A WIN IN NAMIBIA

Newly acquired Mpilo Gumede impressed on his debut as he helped the Vodacom Bulls register a 43-30 victory over the Namibian Rugby side in Windhoek. Gumede put in a Player of the Match performance to help the Tshwane outfit register an impressive seven-try victory over the Welwitschias.

Played in front of a sold-out crowd at the WHS Stadium, as the locals turned up to wish their national team well ahead of the 2023 Rugby World Cup, the Vodacom Bulls got off the blocks in emphatic style as they opened their points bank inside the opening 5 minutes of the game. That set the tone for an exciting game of rugby in the Namibian capital.

The herd went into the break with a six-point lead with the score settled on 13-19 and when the two teams returned, the visiting outfit pushed their hosts for more points and absorbed pressure in their own 22 with great measure and tact.

“This was a great defensive performance as much as it was an attacking match. The boys showed great spirit on attack but they were even more impressive on the defensive line,” Director of Rugby, Jake White commented.

“The Namibians put us under immense pressure on the cusp of the break but the boys held their own and on the dying minutes of the second half, with their fans behind them, they were on us again and we responded well yet again. I am proud of their performance, yes the game is pre-season and there are certain elements that we need to polish but otherwise, the boys were impressive.”

On injuries, White said: “We are happy that we are all walking away from this with no major concerns, just bumps and minor bruises at the moment. We will know once the doctors perform their assessments but at face value, everyone is healthy and that bodes us well as we continue with our work in the pre-season period.”

On the importance of being there for the Namibians, White said: “For us, this game was as important as it was for the Namibians because they needed the competition to help fine-tune their skill, we were happy to be there for them because that is what good neighbours do. I am sure Allister (Coetzee) got some good answers from his side and we wish them well as they head to France this coming week.”

The Vodacom Bulls return to Loftus to continue with their pre-season work as the Vodacom United Rugby Championship season start nears. The 2023/24 campaign will begin with a match against Scarlets in what will be a newly seeded pitch at Loftus Versfeld Stadium.

SCORERS:

Tries: Deon Slabbert, WJ Steenkamp, Mpilo Gumede, Stravino Jacobs, Cornal Hendricks, Tiaan Lange, Bernard van der Linde

Conversions: Jaco van der Walt x4

VODACOM BULLS STARTING XV: 1. Dylan Smith, 2. Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 3. Robert Hunt, 4. Deon Slabbert, 5. Reinhardt Ludwig (c), 6. WJ Steenkamp, 7. Mihlali Mosi, 8. Mpilo Gumede, 9. Zak Burger, 10. Jaco van der Walt, 11. Stravino Jacobs, 12. Chris Barend Smit, 13. Cornal Hendricks, 14. Sibongile Novuka, 15. Sergeal Petersen

VODACOM BULLS IMPACT SQUAD: 16. Jacques van Rooyen, 17. Tiaan Lange, 18. Simphiwe Matanzima, 19. Ruan Venter**, 20. Phumzile Maqondwana, 21. Bernard van der Linde, 22. Cameron Hanekom, 23. Juan Mostert**, 24. Eugene Hare**, 25. Kabelo Mokoena

** denotes a club player

MANAGEMENT: Jake White – Director of Rugby, John-William Meyer – Technical Analyst, Dr. Gerhard Louwrens – Team Doctor, Darryn Berry – Physiotherapist, Yusuf Vahed – Sports Scientist, Andries Kabinda – Logistics Manager, Elias Bennett – Team Manager.

VODACOM BULLS TOUR NAMIBIA AS PART OF 2023/24 SEASON PREPARATIONS

The Vodacom Bulls ramp up preparations for the new 2023/24 campaign with a trip to Namibia where they will take on the Welwitschias who are in their final preparation stages for the 2023 Rugby World Cup. The 25-man squad from Tshwane will be led by Reinhardt Ludwig with exciting debuts on the cards for new recruits.

Deon Slabbert, Mpilo Gumede, Jaco van der Walt and Sergeal Petersen will all run out for the Vodacom Bulls for the first time since arriving at Loftus. The outing will also be a welcomed return for ‘Rocket Man’ Stravino Jacobs who has recovered from his season-ending injury suffered earlier in the year.

Director of Rugby, Jake White has assembled a front row that features Dylan Smith (loose-head), Jan-Hendrik Wessels (hooker) and Robert Hunt (tight-head) with a lock combination of Slabbert and Ludwig at second row. WJ Steenkamp (blind-side) and Mihlali Mosi (open-side) start at flank with Gumede at eight, completing the back row.

Zak Burger pairs up with van der Walt at halfback with Jacobs (left wing) and Sibongile Novuka (right wing) flanking the centre combination of Chris Barend Smit and Cornal Hendricks. Petersen starts at fullback.

The clash will take place on Saturday 26 August 2023, at the WHS Vegkop Stadium in the Namibian capital with kick-off set for 19h00 in the evening.

VODACOM BULLS STARTING XV: 1. Dylan Smith, 2. Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 3. Robert Hunt, 4. Deon Slabbert, 5. Reinhardt Ludwig (c), 6. WJ Steenkamp, 7. Mihlali Mosi, 8. Mpilo Gumede, 9. Zak Burger, 10. Jaco van der Walt, 11. Stravino Jacobs, 12. Chris Barend Smit, 13. Cornal Hendricks, 14. Sibongile Novuka, 15. Sergeal Petersen

VODACOM BULLS IMPACT SQUAD: 16. Jacques van Rooyen, 17. Tiaan Lange, 18. Simphiwe Matanzima, 19. Ruan Venter**, 20. Phumzile Maqondwana, 21. Bernard van der Linde, 22. Cameron Hanekom, 23. Juan Mostert**, 24. Eugene Hare**, 25. Kabelo Mokoena

** denotes a club player

MANAGEMENT: Jake White – Director of Rugby, John-William Meyer – Technical Analyst, Dr. Gerhard Louwrens – Team Doctor, Darryn Berry – Physiotherapist, Yusuf Vahed – Sports Scientist, Andries Kabinda – Logistics Manager, Elias Bennett – Team Manager.

Visuals provided by © Vodacom Bulls

Don’t forget our AFGRI Retail special this month | Offers end on 31 August

This month, we’re all about sheep! Head over to your nearest AFGRI Retail store to take advantage of these incredible offers – at these prices, they’re just waiting to be snapped up! Remember, terms and conditions apply. This promotion is valid until August 31st, 2023.

 

African Farming | Don’t miss tonight’s episode!

Today on African Farming, meet the 2023 Sernick Farmer of the Year, Maria Tswayi. She farms with Bonsmara’s, sheep and goats in Hertzogville in the Free State. Tune in at 17:00 on Honey, DStv channel 173 for the episode premiere.

 

AFGRI proud to sponsor new season of African Farming

We are excited to announce our partnership with African Farming as the series’ headline sponsor. Now in its fourth season, the series showcases the triumphs and challenges of black farmers across South Africa and provides practical insights from farmers and advice from agricultural experts. African Farming has a new home on Honey, DSTV channel 173.
AFGRI – committed to developing new era farmers.

2023/24 VODACOM BULLS SQUAD CONFIRMED

CENTURION, SOUTH AFRICA – DECEMBER 14: during the CSA One Day Cup, Division 1 match between Momentum Multiply Titans and Hollywoodbets Dolphins at SuperSport Park on December 14, 2022 in Centurion, South Africa. (Photo by Johan Rynners/Gallo Images). All photos supplied by © Vodacom Bulls.

Vodacom Bulls Director of Rugby, Jake White has confirmed his player roster and management group for the 2023-24 rugby season. White will have 57 players ready to do service across three competitions, namely the Vodacom United Rugby Championship, Heineken Champions Cup and the Currie Cup. They will be supported by a management cohort of 17 coaches, sports scientists and other support personnel.

Commenting on his roster for the season ahead, White said: “There is a special feeling in the air at Loftus at the moment, perhaps because we are all enjoying our pre-season work and collectively looking forward to what promises to be an exciting season of rugby ahead,”

“Our new recruits have already added fresh energy to our base and they have been warmly welcomed by the rest of the group, which is wonderful as we look to build a wonderful brotherhood amongst all the players and management alike,”

“We know the season will be long and to keep consistency all the way through will be vital for our campaign and this is why we have expanded our squad, to make sure we are not found wanting in certain periods and also be able to make like-for-like replacements when need be. Our recruitment has been intentional in making sure we find additional resources that will be able to help us get as close as possible to the goals and targets that we have in place. Some of the guys joining us also bring international experience, which will bode well for the season ahead.”

White added: “Fortunately, the players also have an experienced coaching unit to tap into and try to learn as much as they can, so that they are in a better place and have that competitive advantage compared to their opponents in the new season.”

On the establishment of the skills hub, which will be run by Kennedy Tsimba and Phiwe Nomlomo, the Vodacom Bulls mentor said that it was another step forward for the franchise, looking to exploit any gains possible that will make a difference in match situations.

“Phiwe and Kennedy are championing a department that should help us establish a competitive advantage as we look to have a roster of players – from juniors through to the seniors – who are leaving nothing to chance on the field, executing their roles at optimal levels throughout because these leagues need us to be absolutely crazy about accuracy,”

“The two will play a pivotal role in helping us keep our entire roster honest and also ensuring that they are always putting their best foot forward with measurable results on the table. Both Phiwe and Kennedy bring experience that cannot be limited to just the skills hub and therefore they will both be involved with hands on coaching with some of the teams,”

“This is an exciting time for me as a coach, watching the guys bond, work so hard behind the scenes and really show their unitedness as we upskill ourselves. I truly think we are on the right path and the strides we are hitting, will put us in a good place come the start of the season.”

The squad – detailed below – has been assembling at Loftus since the 19th of July and continues with its pre-season schedule with a few warm-up matches on the pipeline, details to be confirmed in due course.

 

FORWARDS (36):

Akker van der Merwe, Cameron Hanekom, Cyle Brink, Dylan Smith, Deon Slabbert **, Elrigh Louw, Francois Klopper, Gerhard Steenekamp, Jacques Du Plessis, Jacques van Rooyen, Jannes Kirsten, Janko Swanepoel, Jan-Hendrik Wessels, JF van Heerden, Joe van Zyl, Johann Grobbelaar, Khutha Mchunu, Marcell Coetzee, Marco van Staden, Merwe Olivier, Mihlali Mosi, Mornay Smith, Mpilo Gumede, Muller Uys, Nizaam Carr, Phumzile Maqondwana, Reinhardt Ludwig, Robert Hunt, Ruan Nortje, Ruan Vermaak, Sebastian Lombard, Simphiwe Matanzima, Tiaan Lange, Tielman Nieuwoudt, Wilco Louw, WJ Steenakamp

 

BACKS (25): Bernard Van der Linde, Canan Moodie, Chris Barend Smit, Chris Smith, Cornal Hendricks, David Kriel, Devon Williams **, Embrose Papier, Harold Vorster, Henry Immelman, Jaco van der Walt, Johan Goosen, Kabelo Mokwena, Keagan Johannes, Kurt-lee Arendse, Lionel Mapoe, Marco Jansen van Vuren, Sibongile Novuka, Sebastian de Klerk, Sergeal Petersen, Stedman Gans, Stravino Jacobs, Wandisile Simelane, Willie Le Roux, Zak Burger

** – player is on loan

 

MANAGEMENT GROUP:

  1. Director of Rugby

Jake White

  1. Head of Technical

John-William Meyer

  1. Assistant coaches

Andries Bekker, Chris Rossouw, Gary Gold, Jean Tiedt, Kennedy Tsimba, Phiwe Nomlomo, Werner Kruger

  1. Medical

Dr. Herman Rossouw – Head of Medical, Dr. Henning Gericke – Sports Psychologist, Lance Lammetjies – Physiotherapist, Darryn Berry – Physiotherapist

  1. Sports Science

Andre Volsteedt – Head of Strength & Conditioning, Stephen Plummer – Rehab Specialist, Yusuf Vahed – Sports Scientist

  1. Operations

Elias Bennett – Team Manager, Simon Dyidi – Assistant Team Manager

ARENDSE, STEENKAMP, PAPIER AND MKHARI WIN BIG AT 22/23 VODACOM BULLS AWARDS EVENING

The Blue Bulls Company (BBCo.) held its annual combined awards evening, celebrating achievements by the Vodacom Bulls, Vodacom Bulls junior sides as well as the Bulls Daisies who remain undefeated in their debut season of professional rugby.

Springboks Kurt-Lee Arendse, Gerhard Steenekamp, Embrose Papier and Rights Mkhari, all walked away winners on a glitz and glamorous evening, with a touch of funky flair which was left open to the interpretation of the attendees. The event was held at the Atterbury Theatre in Tshwane, on Tuesday evening.

Arendse walked away the biggest winner on the night, claiming a whopping five awards as the creative, dynamic and unrelenting speedster was rewarded for an impressive season which is still continuing on the international stage. The 27-year-old utility back was named both the Vodacom Players Player of the Year and the Vodacom Fans Player of the Year winner via a majority count of the votes cast through the Vodacom Bulls App. He was also crowned as the overall Vodacom Player of the Year for the 2022/23 season.

Arendse also claimed Heineken Champions Cup Backline Player of the Year and Heineken Champions Cup Player of the Year awards, pipping Wandisile Simelane and Embrose Papier for the Backline Player award with Johan Grobbelaar and Elrigh Louw finishing second and third respectively in the Player of the Year category of the 2022/23 campaign in Europe.

The Forward Player of the Year award for the Vodacom Bulls European voyage went to Johan Grobbelaar who accumulated 156 minutes of play from three matches played, making 28 tackles and scoring a try (against Exeter Chiefs) as the herd made quite the impressive debut in the competition. Grobbelaar also walked away with the PUMA award for the most improved player.

Ruan Nortje, who led the club for much of the 2022/23 season, was honoured as the Vodacom United Rugby Championship ISUZU Forward Player of the Year after the 25-year-old had an impressive campaign. In the 19 matches that Nortje featured in during the competition, he made 147 carries on attack whilst finishing with a defensive tackle success rate of 87% in the 168 tackles he made, which ranks him eighth overall in the competition.

David Kriel, who finished last season of the Vodacom United Rugby Championship with the most clean breaks (23) in the entire competition whilst his 846 metres gained ranks him third overall, won the Vodacom Bulls Vodacom United Rugby Championship Backline Player of the Year Award. Kriel was up against Springbok stars, Canan Moodie and Kurt-Lee Arendse for the award.

Newly capped Springbok, Gerhard Steenekamp was named the Vodacom Bulls Vodacom United Rugby Championship Player of the Year for his consistent season, which was capped by him earning a national call-up to become the 150th Vodacom Bulls player to become a Bok. Steenekamp’s season in the competition has seen him rake up a 91% tackle success rate from the 96 tackles made whilst he also ranks up high amongst the forwards pack on attack, making 96 successful carries. There is no doubt his clean break against Zebre Parma will remain a favourite highlight of both his and the Loftus faithful.

In the Currie Cup, scrum-half, Embrose Papier walked away the big winner,  claiming both the Vodacom Backline Player of the Year and overall Vodacom Player of the Year Awards after a stellar 2023 campaign in the oldest rugby competition in the world and South Africa’s Premier Rugby Competition. Jan-Hendrik Wessels won the Vodacom Forward Player of the Year award.

For the ladies’ competition, the 2023 ISUZU Bulls Daisies Player of the Year award went to – Limpopo Express – Rights Mkhari, who was nominated for the award alongside 2023 Bulls Daisies Forward Player of the Year winner, Sinelitha Noxeke and Libbie Janse van Rensburg, who won the 2023 Bulls Daisies Backline Player of the Year award. The lanky, bulldozing and try-scoring flanker has been in an unstoppable mood since the start of the 2023 Women’s Premier Division campaign, dotting down nine tries and proving instrumental to the Daisies campaign thus far. Byrhandre Dolf walked away with the Bulls Daisies SSG Players Player of the Year award.

Elsewhere, the Vodacom Bulls Junior Awards saw Mawande Mdande walk away with the 2023 AFGRI Most Improved Junior Player, alongside 2023 Most Valuable Players Steven Nel (under-19), Neels Volschenk (under-20) whilst Corne Beets (under-19) and Tiaan Lange (under-21) walked away with the same award for the 2022 campaign.

Junior Springbok vice-captain, Katlego Letebele won the under-20 backline player of the year award whilst Alfondso Isaacs took the same honours at under-19s. Neil Le Roux (under-19) and Quewin Nortje (under-21) took the same award for the 2022 season. Nortje enjoyed an impressive season in blue, which preluded his call-up to the national fold where he made his debut in Springbok colours during the 2023 World Rugby under-20 Championships. At the front, the forward’s Player of the Year award went to Lukas Meyer (under-19) and Juann Else (under-20) with Abulele Ndabambi (under-19) and Sebastian Lombard (under-21) claiming the same accolade for the 2022 season.

 

Kurt-Lee Arendse

Heineken Champions Cup Round of 16, Le Stadium, Toulouse, France 2/4//2023
Toulouse vs Vodacom Bulls
Bulls’ Gerhard Steenekamp
Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/James Crombie

Heineken Champions Cup Round of 16, Le Stadium, Toulouse, France 2/4//2023
Toulouse vs Vodacom Bulls
Bulls’ Embrose Papier
Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/James Crombie

 

All photos supplied by © Vodacom Bulls

 

FULL LIST OF THE 2022/23 VODACOM BULLS AWARD WINNERS:

 

ISUZU Bulls Daisies Player of the Year: Rights Mkhari

SSG Bulls Daisies Players Player of the Year: Byrhandre Dolf

Bulls Daisies Forward Player of the Year: Sinelitha Noxeke

Bulls Daisies Backline Player of the Year: Libbie Jansen van Rensburg

 

Vodacom Bulls under-19s – 2023

Vodacom Bulls under-19 Forward Player of the Year: Lukas Meyer

Vodacom Bulls under-19 Backline Player of the Year: Alfondso Isaacs

Vodacom Bulls under-19 Player of the Player: Steven Nel

 

Vodacom Bulls under-20s – 2023

Vodacom Bulls under-20 Forward Player of the Year: Juann Else

Vodacom Bulls under-20 Backline Player of the Year: Katlego Letebele

Vodacom Bulls under-20 Player of the Player: Neels Volschenk

 

Vodacom Bulls under-19s – 2022

Vodacom Bulls under-19 Forward Player of the Year: Abulele Ndabambi

Vodacom Bulls under-19 Backline Player of the Year: Neil Le Roux

Vodacom Bulls under-19 Player of the Player: Corne Beets

** These awards are handed out this year because the 2022 under-19 competition happened post last season’s awards evening.

 

Vodacom Bulls under-21s – 2022

Vodacom Bulls under-20 Forward Player of the Year: Sebastian Lombard

Vodacom Bulls under-21 Backline Player of the Year: Quewin Nortje

Vodacom Bulls under-21 Player of the Player: Tiaan Lange

** These awards are handed out this year because the 2022 under-21 competition happened post last season’s awards evening.

 

CURRIE CUP

Vodacom Bulls Currie Cup Forward Player of the Year: Jan-Hendrik Wessels

Vodacom Bulls Currie Cup Backline Player of the Year: Embrose Papier

Vodacom Bulls Currie Cup Player of the Year: Embrose Papier

 

HEINEKEN CHAMPIONS CUP

Vodacom Bulls Heineken Champions Cup Forward Player of the Year: Johan Grobbelaar

Vodacom Bulls Heineken Champions Cup Backline Player of the Year: Kurt-Lee Arendse

Vodacom Bulls Heineken Champions Cup Player of the Year: Kurt-Lee Arendse

 

VODACOM UNITED RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP

Vodacom United Rugby Championship ISUZU Forward Player of the Year: Ruan Nortje

Vodacom Bulls Vodacom United Rugby Championship Backline Player of the Year: David Kriel

Vodacom Bulls Vodacom United Rugby Championship Player of the Year: Gerhard Steenekamp

 

SPECIAL AWARDS

BrightRock BBCo. Employee of the Year: Renique Pepper

Puma most improved senior player of the year: Johan Grobbelaar

AFGRI most improved junior player of the year: Mawande Mdande

Vodacom Fans player of the year: Kurt-Lee Arendse

** Voted for by the fans through the Vodacom Bulls app available for download on all app stores

Vodacom Players Player of the Year: Kurt-Lee Arendse

Vodacom Player of the Year: Kurt-Lee Arendse

Jack’s Paint now available in our AFGRI Retail branches in Standerton and Witbank!

A reminder that Jack’s Paint is now available in our AFGRI Retail Standerton and Witbank branches. See promotions in store! 

Did you know?

Did you know? Over 83 525 tonnes of maize were delivered to our silos during our #GrootGooiMielies drive, with the Nigel silo receiving the most deliveries. We would like to thank all those farmers who participated in this annual event! 

Jack’s Paint | Coming to these branches soon!

Rolling into these branches soon:
28 July – Jack’s Paint in AFGRI Retail Middelburg and Bronkhorstspruit
4 August – Jack’s Paint in AFGRI Retail Standerton and Witbank
Be sure to see our in-store promotions too!