Vodacom Bulls honour local clubs with special training session this Thursday

The Vodacom Bulls will, on Thursday, honour the role of club rugby with all players training in their local club colours ahead of the weekend’s Carling Currie Cup match against the Sigma Lions. The Tshwane-based side has continuously expressed the importance of club rugby in contributing to the success of the professional setup.

With the domestic World Sports Betting (WSB) Carlton League going into its second round of matches this weekend, and a number of Vodacom Bulls contracted players set to feature in the matches once again, the players will train in their club kit on Thursday.

“This is a good gesture by our professional side as they pay homage to our clubs who form a crucial part of our pipeline,” said Blue Bulls Rugby Union (BBRU) president, Willem Strauss.

“The synergy between the Vodacom Bulls and our clubs has contributed to ensuring that our club system is among the best in the country. This has resulted in our leagues attracting broadcasters and commercial partners.

“Very few leagues can boast having their clubs featuring as many professional players as we see in this region. This is part of the reason why the World Sports Betting Carlton League is arguably the premier domestic club competition in South Africa.”

Vodacom Bulls director of rugby, Jake White, also commended the role clubs and the World Sports Betting Carlton League play as a pipeline for the professional side. “We see a strong club structure as absolutely crucial in creating a strong, healthy and competitive professional setup as well,” he said.

“The WSB Carlton League and our local clubs have been great in affording a number of our players quality game time while also producing a number of players who have graduated to the professional team. It is also great that each of our players is assigned to a club.

“It is important that these two structures continue to work hand-in-hand to grow the game of rugby and ensure continued success of our clubs and the Vodacom Bulls.”

The WSB Carlton League will feature some quality matches this weekend, with he pick of the games being a clash between reigning champions, ABE Midas Naka Bulls, and back-to-back Varsity Cup title-holders, UP Tuks. The match will be televised on SABC.

Members of the media are invited to the training session at 14h00 on Thursday where they will have an opportunity to take photographs, view the training session and also interview selected players.