BBCo rewards 2018 players and management

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The Blue Bulls Company held their 2018 awards ceremony,  where players and management were recognized for their contributions in the 80th year of the Vodacom Bulls and Vodacom Blue Bulls, at Loftus Park on Thursday, 29 November 2018.

 The players, management, board, sponsors, stakeholders and media gathered in the shadow of Loftus Versfeld to celebrate each other with a fun and light hearted mood being set by a Mexican Mariachi band and DJ Mac on the turntables.

 The stage was set for acknowledging the award winners with RG Snyman and Johan Grobbelaar walking away with the Senior and Junior MVP awards respectively. Jesse Kriel was recognized as the Super Rugby Player of the Year.

 It takes a team of individuals working behind the scenes for the the Vodacom Bulls and Vodacom Blue Bulls to function with Heilie Brits being awarded the Employee of the Year while Xander Janse van Rensburg and Divan Strydom voted as the High Performance Employee of the Year.

 U19

 U19 Forward of the Year: Janko Swanepoel

U19 Back of the Year: Marnus Potgieter

U19 Players’ Player of the Year: Marnus Potgieter

U19 Player of the Year: Jaco Labuschagne

 U21

 U21 Forward ofthe Year: JC Pretorius

U21 Back of the Year: Wian van Niekerk

U21 Players’ Player of the Year: Johan Grobbelaar

U21 Player of the Year: Johan Grobbelaar

 

 SUPERSPORT RUGBY CHALLENGE

 SuperSport Challenge Forward of the Year: Abongile Nonkontwana

SuperSport Challenge Back of the Year: JT Jackson

SuperSport ChallengePlayers’ Player of the Year: JT Jackson

SuperSport Challenge Player of the Year: Earll Douwrie

 

 CURRIE CUP

 Currie Cup Forward ofthe Year: Eli Snyman

Currie Cup Back of the Year: Divan Rossouw

Currie Cup Players’ Player of the Year: Ruan Steenkamp

Currie Cup Player of the Year: Ruan Steenkamp

 

VODACOM SUPER RUGBY

 Vodacom Super Rugby Forward of the Year: Lodewyk de Jager

Vodacom Super Rugby Back of the Year: Ivan van Zyl

Vodacom Super Rugby Players’ Player of the Year: Marco van Staden

Vodacom Super Rugby Player of the Year: Jesse Kriel

 

Vodacom Blue Bulls Junior MVP: Johan Grobbelaar

Vodacom Blue Bulls Senior MVP: RG Snyman

 

High Performance Employee of the Year: Xander Janse van Rensburg

 High Performance Employee of the Year: Divan Strydom

 Vodacom Bulls and Vodacom Blue Bulls Man of the Year: Johnny Kotze

 BBCo Employee of the Year: Heilie Brits

 

PUMA Forever Faster Award: Manie Libbok

ISUZU Phenomenal Flying Forward: Marco van Staden

Vodacom Fans Player of the Year: Handre Pollard

Vodacom Bulls Babe of the Year: Sotira Petrou

BLUE BULLS COMPANY ANNOUNCE SHORTLIST OF THREE FOR HEAD COACH

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Following the 94th annual board meeting of Blue Bulls Company, and after weeks of speculation in the media, the BBCo have reached a decision on a short list of candidates for the much talked about position of Vodacom Super Rugby head coach.

This follows weeks of consultation led by a recommendation panel that acted in an advisory role to the board. The board was ultimately responsible for narrowing down the shortlist after a thorough and well-researched process, and will also be responsible for the final appointment.

The shortlist comprises of (arranged alphabetically):
• Head coach of the Southern Kings, DEON DAVIDS
• 2018 Vodacom Super Rugby Forwards coach and Currie Cup head coach, POTE HUMAN
• Former Vodacom Bulls Captain and Springbok lock, VICTOR MATFIELD

The final round of interviews will be held in the next few weeks, with details regarding the appointment being made shortly thereafter. In respect of the process and those involved, the BBCo will make no further comments until that point.

CORNAL HENDRICKS TO JOIN THE VODACOM BULLS

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The Blue Bulls Company (Pty) Ltd is pleased to announce that Cornal Hendricks will join the Vodacom Bulls for the upcoming 2019 Vodacom Super Rugby season. The 30 year-old winger played 12 test matches for South Africa, the last in 2015, before a heart condition side lined the player who was due to take up a contract with the DHL Stormers at the time.

After thorough examinations and testing Hendricks has now been cleared to play again by a leading heart specialist, while the player himself declared that he is fully aware of his diagnoses and possible effects and/or risks associated with his condition and happy to give it another go.

“As with any rugby player that plays this beautiful game, I fully understand the risks that go with it as I enter into this contract with the BBCo. I accept such risks,” said Hendricks. Hendricks said he is keen to get back on the field, contributing and playing for the Vodacom Bulls.

“I have played in a number of invitational tournaments around the world in the last two years, so I am keen to become part of a team structure and squad again, especially one known for their good culture and structure. The Vodacom Bulls are definitely a team in an upward curve, so it is pretty exciting joining them.”

The BBC’s High Performance Manager, Xander Janse van Rensburg, said they are happy to welcome Hendricks into the squad. “We evaluated him and are happy to give him the opportunity to play professional rugby at the highest level again. After all, he is a great player, a Springbok, and a truly great team man as well, who will contribute and fit into the #BullsFamily with ease. We are keen to see him perform again.”

Duane Vermeulen joins #BullsFamily

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The Blue Bulls Company are excited to confirm the signing of Springbok eight-man Duane Vermeulen.

 

The big ball carrying loosie, who is currently plying his trade in Japan, will arrive in Pretoria in February 2019, and will spend the duration of the season with the Vodacom Bulls.

 

Big Duane has donned the Green and Gold of the Springboks on 42 occasions, and boasts an illustrious career with a number of top class teams including: Pumas, Toyota Cheetahs, DHL Stormers, Toulon and the Kubota Spears.

 

BBCO high performance manager, Xander Janse van Rensburg, expressed his excitement on the acquisition: “Duane is an amazing rugby player, and is well respected around the world. We firmly believe that his abrasive style of play and experience will add immense value to our Vodacom Super Rugby campaign next year. At the age of 32, he is a seasoned veteran, that just gets better with every season.”

 

Vermeulen is also a strong crowd favorite among all South Africans, and he will no doubt be welcomed with open arms by the Loftus faithful.

 

“2019 is going to be a massive year for us,” said Vermeulen, “and I’m keen on starting it with an impact at Loftus. The Bulls have always been a team that I have respected and I’m looking forward to joining the family. “

STRAUSS RETAINS BBRU PRESIDENCY

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BBRU interim President and Chairman of the Board, Willem Strauss, was today re-elected unopposed into his post and will serve a four year term.

Strauss was appointed into the role on an interim basis earlier this year in March, and held the reins with pride. He was responsible for spearheading some great initiatives on both professional and amateur levels.

Strauss commented: “It’s no secret that I have dedicated my life to the beautiful game of rugby. I am honored and privileged to be granted to opportunity to lead the #BullsFamily once again. We have been blessed with some of the most amazing people that have supported our efforts on both the professional and amateur sides.”

He further elaborated on the road ahead: “We are on the doorstep of an exciting new era for both the Vodacom Bulls and the Blue Bulls Rugby Union, with some big appointments to be announced soon. Stability and consistency is of the utmost importance at this stage, and fans can be assured that I will do my best to ensure this.”

Strauss gives full credit to a strong support structure around him, including the management team and personnel. He fully believes that with his team, he will make rugby in Pretoria a force to reckon with.

VODACOM BLUE BULLS REMEMBER FIRST CURRIE CUP WIN AT LOFTUS VERSFELD

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The Vodacom Blue Bulls have celebrated 80 years of heritage throughout 2018 and Friday, 28 September will see the #BullsFamily look back fondly to a date that saw Northern Transvaal lift the Currie Cup for the first time at Loftus Versfeld.

 

The year was 1946 and the opponents none other than Western Province. In a time where points scoring was completely different than what we are used to now, Northern Transvaal beat their Cape rivals 11-9 after leading 4-3 at half time in what will be a memory that will be cherished forever by the #BullsFamily.

 

Northern Transvaal scorers – Try: Johnnie Strydom; Drop goals: Hansie Brewis (2).

 

Northern Transvaal: 15. George Symington, 14. Johnnie Lourens, 13. Hannes de Villiers, 12. Attie Botha, 11. Daan Retief, 10. Hansie Brewis, 9. Fonnie du Toit, 8. Floors Perry, 7. Fiks van der Merwe, 6. Louis Strydom, 5. Doerie van DeVenter, 4. Flip Geel (c), 3. PJ van Rensburg, 2. Jorrie Jordaan, 1. Jan Botha.

Replacements: 16. Morrie Pollard, 17. At Spengler, 18. Colin Mostert.

VODACOM BLUE BULLS TRIUMPH OVER ICOLLEGE PUMAS

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The Vodacom Blue Bulls outscored the iCollege Pumas six tries to four as they registered a crucial 39-29 win over their Nelspruit opponents in their Currie Cup match at Loftus Versfeld on Friday evening.

The visitors made their presence known early on as former FNB Maties flyhalf Chris Smith slotted a penalty goal in the 7th minute but it was the men in light blue who were galvanized into action as they responded with two tries in the 9th and 12th minute respectively.

Captain and no.8 Hanro Liebenberg showed great strength to power through the attention of the Pumas’ defence as he stretched out to score the opening try with wing Jade Stiglingh receiving the final pass after several phases to cross the whitewash three minutes later.
The home team had to pull in their defensive efforts moments later as outside centre Johnny Kotze was yellow carded and the team’s commitment needs to be commended as they only leaked their first try as Kotze was preparing to return to the field with flank Marnus Schoeman scoring a converted try in the 26th minute after prop Dayan van der Westhuizen crossed the chalk moments earlier for the Blue Bulls.
The men from Nelspruit used their dominant lineout drive once more as hooker Marko Janse van Rensburg scored a converted try but his efforts were undone by Stiglingh who collected a floating pass to score and wrapped up the bonus point with five minutes left of the first half.
The Blue Bulls consolidated their lead in the dying minutes of the opening half as Libbok brought the curtain down with a penalty goal to hand his charges a 27-17 lead at the break.
The first ten minutes after the match resumed proved to be a dull affair as neither team could break the deadlock before Springbok scrumhalf Ivan van Zyl ensured his team were on the front foot as he collected a pass from hooker Jaco Visagie as the Blue Bulls found themselves in space courtesy of a creative lineout move.
The Pumas may have been down but they certainly were not out as they continued to attack from all areas of the field and their intent paid dividends as outside centre Neil Maritz exploited the overlap to score a converted try.
The final minutes of the match was a points scoring frenzy with both teams scoring unconverted tries. Replacement flank Jano Venter did what he does best as his burst through an attempted tackle to score the Blue Bulls’ sixth try while it was the Pumas’ turn to have the final say as wing Morné Joubert raced down the right hand touch line to score near the posts.
Smith’s missed conversion on the stroke of full-time proved to be the final moment of the match as the Blue Bulls walked away with a 39-29 win and five log points in what was their penultimate Currie Cup match of the season.

Scorers

Vodacom Blue Bulls – Tries: Hanro Liebenberg, Jade Stiglingh (2), Dayan van der Westhuizen, Ivan van Zyl, Jano Venter; Conversions: Manie Libbok (3); Penalty: Libbok.
iCollege Pumas – Tries: Marnus Schoeman, Marko Janse van Rensburg, Neil Maritz, Morné Joubert; Conversions: Chris Smith (3); Penalty: Smith.

VODACOM BLUE BULLS HOLD OFF TAFEL LAGER GRIQUAS

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The Vodacom Blue Bulls scored seven tries while enduring two yellow cards on their way to a bonus-point 45-40 (halftime 28-21) Currie Cup victory over the Tafel Lager Griquas at Tafel Lager Park in Kimberley on Saturday afternoon.

It was a game of many tales with the home side looking for their first Currie Cup victory of 2018 and it was looking as if the men from Kimberley would be staring down the big barrel as the Blue Bulls raced into a 28-7 lead after just 27 minutes but indiscipline allowed the home side to come back to only trail by seven at the break.

The Blue Bulls snatched their bonus-point early in the first half with a brace of tries from centre Franco Naude as well as scrumhalf Andre Warner and hooker Jaco Visagie with flyhalf Manie Libbok converting all four efforts. Warner opened the scoring after a good build up from the visitors, picking up from the base of a ruck to sneak over after just six minutes.

Griquas hit back 10 minutes later after an excellent break from inside their own 22m area with the potential try snuffed out in the corner with some excellent cover-defence but the home side stole the resulting lineout and worked the ball to the line with prop Nicolaas Oosthuizen picking up and driving over to level matters.

But three tries in seven minutes meant the Blue Bulls secured their bonus-point with 27 minutes gone on the stadium clock. However, the visitors started conceding penalties aplenty which allowed the hosts to come back into the game. Andre Swarts scored the first of his two tries by forcing his way over the whitewash after some good pressure from the Griquas with just four minutes to go until halftime.

Worse was to follow for the men from Pretoria as Griquas piled on more pressure close to their tryline with the hooter having already sounded in the stadium. The home side mauled from a lineout but the Blue Bulls infringed, bringing the maul down on the tryline and referee Egon Seconds had no hesitation in awarding the home team a penalty try and then produced a yellow card to the Blue Bulls’ right wing, Duncan Matthews.

The second stanza started as the first had ended with Griquas besieging the visiting tryline. The hosts needed just six minutes to level the match up as flank Eital Bredenkamp picked up a loose ball and burst through some space to score the fourth Griquas try and secure a bonus-point for the home team.

The Blue Bulls were in disarray as Visagie was shown a yellow card by Seconds for an early tackle as Griquas were marching towards the Blue Bulls line again. With the visitors down to 13 men, Griquas claimed the lead with their fifth try, as Swarts scored in the corner thanks to scrumhalf Christiaan Meyer changing direction from a ruck to confuse the Blue Bulls defence.

However, the home side suffered a yellow card of their own when lock Pieter Jansen van Vuren was sin-binned for cynical play with the Blue Bulls on the attack. The visitors found their groove again and scored through replacement hooker, Edgar Marutlulle after a strong maul.

The Blue Bulls scored another two tries in as many minutes with man of the match Jano Venter running a good line to score next to the posts and the straight from the kick-off, the Blue Bulls burst through the middle of the park with replacement scrumhalf Ivan van Zyl diving over to give the men from the nation’s capital a vital 10-point advantage going into the final 10 minutes of the game.

The home side fought back though, scoring a try through fullback AJ Coertzen but Swarts missed the conversion leaving the hosts needing to score a converted try to win but in the end, the Blue Bulls held out for their second win of a shortened season, ending a two-game losing streak.

Scorers

Tafel Lager Griquas – Tries: Andre Swarts (2), Nicolaas Oosthuizen, Eital Bredenkamp, AJ Coertzen, Penalty Try; Conversions: George Whitehead (4).

Vodacom Blue Bulls – Tries: Franco Naude, JT Jackson, Andre Warner, Jaco Visagie, Edgar Marutlulle, Jano Venter, Ivan van Zyl; Conversions: Manie Libbok (5).

VODACOM BLUE BULLS BEAT FREE STATE IN CURRIE CUP OPENER

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The Vodacom Blue Bulls earned a bonus point as they beat the Toyota Free State Cheetahs 34-12 (halftime 7-7) in a hard fought Currie Cup match at the Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein on Friday evening.

 

It was the home team who made their intentions known early in the match as wing Rabs Maxwane drew in the defence before offloading to hooker Joseph Dweba who crossed the whitewash. Former Blue Bulls pivot, Tian Schoeman, slotted the conversion for the Free Staters.

 

The men in blue eventually got themselves into the match as they applied pressure on their opponents and the dam wall was breached in the 13th minute as wing Jamba Ulengo passed to flyhalf Manie Libbok who dived under the posts to score a brilliant try that he converted.

 

Free State had to pull in their defence three minutes later as prop Ox Nche was yellow carded for a dangerous tackle and credit needs to be given to the men from Bloemfontein as they shut out the Blue Bulls to prevent any points from being leaked.

 

The match dissolved into a dull affair as neither team could break the deadlock but it was Free State who would be left scratching their heads at halftime as they enjoyed the majority of possession and territory but just could not convert that pressure into points.

 

The second half proved to be much better for both teams as they regularly bothered the scoreboard. Free State started the second half in the same fashion they did in the first half as scrumhalf Shaun Venter broke away from the back of a ruck and out sprinted the defence to score an unconverted try in the 41st minute.

 

The visitors continued to be nuisance on attack but were thwarted by Free State before opting to kick a penalty goal courtesy of Libbok.

 

The successful kick galvanised the Blue Bulls who were awarded a penalty try in the 55th minute due to Free State deliberately collapsing the maul.

 

Lock Justin Basson was shown a yellow card for the infringement and the home team were made to pay six minutes later as wing Jade Stiglingh capitalised on the one man advantage to dot down in the corner.

 

It was the visitors who brought the curtain down on a hard fought match as fullback Divan Rossouw scored the bonus point try on the stroke of full time. Man of the Match, Libbok, added the extras to hand his charges a 34-12 win away from home.

 

SCORERS

 

Toyota Free State Cheetahs – Tries: Joseph Dweba, Shaun Venter; Conversion: Tian Schoeman.

 

Vodacom Blue Bulls – Tries: Manie Libbok, Penalty try, Jade Stiglingh, Divan Rossouw; Conversions: Libbok (3); Penalties: Libbok (2).

LIEBENBERG TO LEAD VODACOM BLUE BULLS IN CURRIE CUP

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Vodacom Blue Bulls Coach, Pote Human, named an exciting squad for his 2018 Currie Cup campaign, with experienced loose forward, Hanro Liebenberg, named skipper and outside back, Johnny Kotze, the vice-captain.

Liebenberg is no stranger to the captaincy role, having lead the Vodacom Blue Bulls in this capacity before, and is welcomed back after missing the 2017 tournament due to injury.

The squad includes Springboks in Marnitz Boshoff and Jamba Ulenbo, while Blitzboks Heino Bezuidenhout and Stedman Gans were also named amongst the backs and former Blitzbok, Boom Prinsloo, amongst the loose forwards.

New additions to the squad include some stand-outs from the recent SuperSport Rugby Challenge, like Earll Dowrie and Mornay Smit, while youngsters like Josh Aldermann and Reagan Oranje are promoted from the junior ranks. Adding to the new faces during the warmups are Carel du Preez, Dan Kasende and Viktor Sekekete, three young men that will be included in the system on a trial.

Toyota Cheetahs recruit, Paul Schoeman, is also in the squad. The flanker moved from Bloemfontein after the GUINNESS PRO 14 season.

The men in blue will be without a number of senior players, seven at national duty with the Springboks and three playing in Japan for the remainder of the year. The Springboks are RG Snyman, Trevor Nyakane, Marco van Staden, Jesse Kriel, Embrose Papier, Handré Pollard and Ivan van Zyl with Jason Jenkins, Jannes Kirsten and Burger Odendaal playing in Japan.

The squad will also be missing Gerhard Steenekamp, Tim Agaba, Lizo Gqoboka, Roelof Smit, Nqoba Mxoli, Travis Ismaiel and Warrick Gelant, due to long term injuries.

One of the main focuses of this Currie Cup campaign will be to ensure the system builds towards the 2019 Vodacom Super Rugby, while increasing our depth and junior player development. It will also be used to make sure that the overall ‘blue-print’ implemented by Executive Rugby, John Mitchell, is executed throughout all the teams, including juniors.

Coach Pote Human will also be looking to expose a few of the u19s and u21s to senior level.

The squad is: Divan Rossouw, Earll Douwrie, Duncan Matthews, Jamba Ulengo, Xolisa Guma, Irvin Ali, JT Jackson, Heino Bezuidenhout, Franco Naude, Christopher Hollis, Stedman Gans, Jade Stighling, Johnny Kotze, Marnitz Boshoff, Manie Libbok, Boeta Hamman, Tony Jantjies, Garrick Matthews, Tinus de Beer, Andre Warner, Theo Maree, Josh Allderman, Raegan Oranje, Thembelani Bholi, Denzil Hill, Jano Venter, Abongile Nonkontwana, Hanro Liebenberg (c), Paul Schoeman, Nic de Jager, Ruan Steenkamp, Boom Prinsloo, Roelof Smit, Ryno Pieterse, Hendre Stassen, Ruben van Heerden, Aston Fortuin, Ruan Nortje, Eli Snyman, Matthys Basson, Frans van Wyk, Dayan van der Westhuizen, Conraad van Vuuren, Madot Mabokela, Mornay Smith, Jaco Visagie, Edgar Marutlulle, Johan Grobbelaar, Corniel Els, Jan-Henning Campher.

The Vodacom Blue Bulls warm ups:

Friday, 10 August 2018: Vodacom Blue Bulls vs Griffons in Welkom, 13:00 and 15:00

The Vodacom Blue Bulls fixture list is (times TBC):

17 August – Toyota Free State Cheetahs (Bloem)

25 August – Cell C Sharks (Durban)

1 September – Xerox Golden Lions (Pretoria)

8 September – Tafel Lager Griquas (Kimberley)

15 September – iCOLLEGE Pumas (Pretoria)

13 October – DHL Western Province (Pretoria)