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)

Pote Human to lead Currie Cup charge

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The Vodacom Blue Bulls today confirmed that Pote Human will assume the role of head coach during the 2018 Currie Cup season. While Executive Rugby and Vodacom Super Rugby head coach, John Mitchell, focuses on his other roles, including spending more time at the junior ranks ensuring that the ‘blue print’ functions throughout the club, while also preparing for the 2019 Vodacom Super Rugby Season.

 

The 59-year-old, Human, is a rugby man to the core and boasts a proud playing record as a ‘no-nonsense’ eightman, having played at Craven week and for the SA schools team, before going on to represent Eastern Province in 116 matches and the Free State in 84 (captaining 62 of those). Human, was also a legend at club level, winning two National club titles with Dispatch in the Eastern Cape.

 

He is no stranger to coaching at this level, as he held the reigns in 2006 when captain Gary Botha and his men famously drew with the Cheetahs at Loftus to share the Currie Cup. His highlight however, is assisting Heyneke Meyer in 2007, as the forwards coach, to steer the Vodacom Bulls to their first Super Rugby title. In 2011, he excepted a three-year deal in Kimberley where he once again took the role of head coach, leading a spirited Griquas team into the competition. Human’s CV also shows a stint in Japan, and a few successful seasons at Tuks, with two prestigious Varsity Cup titles as well, among a string of other accolades.

 

Human humbly took the focus of himself: “I’m really proud to be part of this system, with every day being a learning experience for me and all those involved. There is a new energy at Loftus, and even though the results may not show it yet, I believe that there is something very special brewing here. We have a young and exciting group going into the season, and I look forward to growing with these players.”

 

The remaining management team for the Currie Cup season will mostly remain as it did for the Super Rugby competition, with the most noticeable change being that technical analysist, John-Williams Meyer, will now also be responsible for the defense.

 

Team management:

HEAD COACH: Pote Human

ASSISTANT COACHES: Gary Botha, Hayden Groepes

TECHNICAL AND DEFENSE: John-Williams Meyer

DOCTOR: Dr. Herman Rossouw

COORDINATOR OPERATIONS AND LOGISTICS: Hendy Seerane

BAGGAGE AND KIT MASTER: Elias Bennet

PHYSIOTHERAPISTS: Pieter du Plessis & Lance Lemmetjies

STRENGTH & CONDITIONING: Jacus Coetzee, Ghafoer Luckan

REHAB SPECIALIST:  Juandre Williams

HIGH PERFORMANCE MANAGER: Xander Janse van Rensburg

MEDIA MANAGER: Shanil Mangaroo

VODACOM BULLS END LOFTUS SEASON ON A HIGH

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The Vodacom Bulls did the Emirates Lions and Cell C Sharks a massive favour by stopping the Jaguares’ seven-game winning streak run with a 43-34 victory in their Vodacom Super Rugby match at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.

The Bulls came from 19-0 down after 20 minutes to storm back and outscore their opposition by six tries to five in a high-scoring extravaganza on a cold Pretoria afternoon.

The win was a massive favour for the Lions, who stay on the top of the South African conference with just one round left in the competition, with the Jaguares blowing their chance of going top with a victory.

It also opened the door for the Sharks, who will be automatically through if the Melbourne Rebels lose next weekend, while they simply have to win the showdown with the Jaguares if they are to secure their spot in the playoff rounds.

The Jaguares’ seven-game winning streak was snapped by the Bulls and showed that while the team have grown exceptionally under coach Mario Ledesma, they still need to win away from home — and cchieving that in the playoff rounds will be extremely difficult.

For the Bulls the way they came back after their horror start should be commended. The likes of Warrick Gelant, Handre Pollard, RG Snyman, Jesse Kriel and Marco van Staden all stood out on the evening.

With the Loftus turf a lighter shade of green more reminiscent to rugby in the 80s, it was the Bulls who were shell-shocked early when the bright contrast of the Jaguares orange jerseys seemed to dominate every part of the early play, leaving them 19-0 up as they scored three quick tries without reply.

It was almost too easy as the Bulls’ defence disintegrated early on with Nicolas Sanchez dancing his way past Ruben van Heerden and then two others to score a perfect individual try to open the scoring in the third minute.

Javier Ortega Desio broke through three minutes later and put his captain Pablo Matera away to score a quick second try and then Gonzalo Bertranou scored his first try before 20 minutes was on the clock to leave the small Loftus crowd bemused at what had happened to their team.

But if there is one thing about this Bulls team, they don’t give up.

THE UPPER HAND

And it may have taken them a while to get the engine started, but when they did they roared back in style.

Warrick Gelant showed his class with a stunning right-hand break to send Jamba Ulengo roaring down the touchline, with the winger offering the ball to Johnny Kotze to get them on the board.

Their second try was even better as Gelant broke blind and some beautiful offloads from Hanro Liebenberg and Marco van Staden sent Embrose Papier over for a well-worked try.

And then unbelievably Jesse Kriel’s exceptional vision stole him a perfect intercept after the halftime hooter had gone to score under the posts, and suddenly the Bulls were ahead 21-19 at the break.

The Jaguares must have been kicking themselves as Pollard put the Bulls further ahead early in the second half with a penalty, but they hit back hard with Bertranou’s second try, created by a stunning break by the classy Emiliano Boffelli, who scythed his way through the defence to open the space for the try.

The Jaguares may have stolen the lead, but the Bulls pack were slowly getting the upper hand, and the rest of the team grew in confidence.

And it was Pollard who saw some extra space to take the outside break on attack and send the simplest of passes out wide for Ulengo to canter in for the try.

But the moment that gave the Bulls some breathing space came in the 60th minute when Marco van Staden collected the ball at the back of the lineout, shook off replacement scrumhalf Martin Landajo like a rag doll and busted his way upfield for a crucial score.

Television replays were scrutinised to the finest detail, but no fault could have been found as the Bulls for the first time looked a lot more comfortable than their opposition.

Ulengo, who earlier this season received miracle treatment from a clinic in Sweden to get him back on the field, cantered in for his second try to secure the win, and leave the Jaguares gasping for air.

Pablo Matera scored a late try for a possible chance at securing a crucial bonus point, but Boffelli’s conversion hit the posts, denying them even that.

It may not have been pretty, but the Bulls gave their fans something to be happy about after their poor performance in Singapore a week earlier.

And they did the Sharks and Lions a massive favour in the process.

SCORERS

Vodacom Bulls – tries: Johnny Kotze, Embrose Papier, Jesse Kriel, Jamba Ulengo (2), Marco van Staden. Conversions: Handre Pollard (5). Penalty: Pollard.

Jaguares – tries: Nicolas Sanchez, Pablo Matera (2), Gonzalo Bertranou (2). Conversions: Sanchez (3). Penalty: Emiliano Boffelli.

Report by Brenden Nel, SuperSport.com

VODACOM BULLS NAME UNCHANGED RUN-ON SIDE FOR JAGUARES CLASH

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Vodacom Bulls coach, John Mitchell named an unchanged run-on team to face the Jaguares at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday in what will be the last home match for his team in this year’s Vodacom Super Rugby competition.

The same starting side that lost to a late score against the Sunwolves in Singapore last weekend will thus get a chance to redeem themselves.

Mitchell made some changes to the bench though, with the most prominent the inclusion of Springbok scrumhalf, Ivan van Zyl, in place of Andre Warner.

“We are determined to close out the season at home with a solid performance,” Mitchell said.

“We have grown as a team and our supporters started believing again, and we would like to reward that trust in us. In the end, the season did not quite finish the way we wanted, but I am happy that we took some important steps in the right direction. We will reap the benefits of that in future.”

The team will again be captained by Handré Pollard. “We only need to look at the log to see how tough the Jaguares will be. They are playing some exceptional rugby at the moment. That said, they are coming into our backyard and we need to show who is boss in our house. We owe the Loftus faithful a good show.”

The team (with Vodacom Super Rugby caps and points) is:

Warrick Gelant (32, 60), Jamba Ulengo (21, 35), Jesse Kriel (59, 65), Johnny Kotze (33, 35), Divan Rossouw (12, 15), Handré Pollard (c; 45, 424), Embrose Papier (7, 0), Hanro Liebenberg (26, 15), Jannes Kirsten (16,10), Marco van Staden (14, 5), RG Snyman (37, 10), Jason Jenkins (40, 35), Conraad van Vuuren (15, 5), Jaco Visagie (33, 0) Pierre Schoeman (33, 15). Replacements: Edgar Marutlulle (31, 20), Simphiwe Matanzima (0, 0)/Matthys Basson (1, 0), Mornay Smit (1, 0), Thembelani Bholi (28, 5), Nick de Jager (27,20), Ivan van Zyl (15, 0),  Manie Libbok (8, 6), Dries Swanepoel (10, 10).