Thought my brute broer could have done better. Here is the Brutes debutants
Francois Venter
http://www.thebulls.co.za/profile.aspx?pid=707&team=Senior
Position Centre
Height 1.84
Weight 93
Date of Birth April 19 1991
Place of Birth Bloemfontein
Provincial Debut 2011 v Sharks
Provincial Caps 12
Provincial Points 15
Super 14 Debut 2012 v Sharks
Super 14 Caps 2
Super 14 Points 0
Test Debut
Test Caps 0
Test Points 0
He might be one of the youngest players in the competition, but the South African u.20 midfielder has already proved his worth in the senior ranks with a stellar debut year in the 2011 Currie Cup. Very quick off the mark, great running angles and sound distribution are core skills for the former SA Schools player, who will be pushing fellow midfielders Wynand Olivier and Johann Sadie for a starting berth all season.
Jacques Potgieter
http://www.thebulls.co.za/profile.aspx?pid=1041&team=Senior
Position Loose Forward
Height 1.94
Weight 112
Date of Birth April 24 1986
Place of Birth Port Elizabeth
Provincial Debut 2009 v Border (EP)
Provincial Caps 25
Provincial Points 45
Super 14 Debut 2012 v Sharks
Super 14 Caps 2
Super 14 Points 0
Test Debut
Test Caps 0
Test Points 0
Expect this all action loose forward to hit the ground running in his first season of Super Rugby. An abrasive and aggressive player, Potgieter does not know how to take a backward step and opponents will soon learn about the former EP Kings player’s bone crushing defence. Having paid his dues in the lower echelons of the game, Potgieter will be keen to announce himself to the big time big time.
Juandré Kruger
http://www.thebulls.co.za/profile.aspx?pid=656&team=Senior
Position Lock
Height 1.98
Weight 110kg
Date of Birth September 06 1985
Place of Birth Cape Town
Provincial Debut 2007 WP
Provincial Caps 38
Provincial Points 40
Super 14 Debut 2012 v Sharks
Super 14 Caps 2
Super 14 Points 0
Test Debut
Test Caps 0
Test Points 0
After kicking his heels during Super Rugby in 2011, expect Juandré Kruger to make the most of his opportunities this year. The athletic lock forward has impressed in Currie Cup with his ball carrying ability and line-out play, but is not afraid to mix it up in the tight stuff, as witnessed during his two years spent with Northampton Saints in the English Premiership and Heineken Cup.
Frik Kirsten
http://www.thebulls.co.za/profile.aspx?pid=655&team=Senior
Position Prop
Height 1.92
Weight 120 kg
Date of Birth September 18 1988
Place of Birth Johannesburg
Provincial Debut 2009 v WP
Provincial Caps 14
Provincial Points 10
Super 14 Debut 2009 v Blues
Super 14 Caps 4
Super 14 Points 0
Test Debut
Test Caps 0
Test Points 0
After some time away from the game recovering from a neck operation and university studies, Kirsten is finally ready for rugby on the big stage. A fantastic athlete who can run most backs ragged; the former national age group player will add depth and brains to the Bulls pack. He is versatile and plays both sides of the scrum, making him a valuable squad member in a long season.
CJ Stander
http://www.thebulls.co.za/profile.aspx?pid=710&team=Senior
Position Loose Forward
Height 1.88
Weight 106
Date of Birth April 05 1990
Place of Birth George
Provincial Debut 2010 v Pumas
Provincial Caps 27
Provincial Points 30
Super 14 Debut 2012 v Sharks
Super 14 Caps 2
Super 14 Points 0
Test Debut
Test Caps 0
Test Points 0
This will be a first Super Rugby campaign for one of the most talked about loose forwards in the country. The former SA u.20 and SA Schools captain had a great Currie Cup season with the Blue Bulls although he was still a junior player and brings a massive work rate, great rugby brain, impeccable leadership skills and tremendous ability in the loose to the team.
Louis Fouché
http://www.thebulls.co.za/profile.aspx?pid=1021&team=Senior
Position Fly half
Height 1.86
Weight 97
Date of Birth January 04 1990
Place of Birth Pretoria
Provincial Debut 2011 v Pumas
Provincial Caps 9
Provincial Points 126
Super 14 Debut 2012 v Sharks
Super 14 Caps 2
Super 14 Points 0
Test Debut
Test Caps 0
Test Points 0
His massive boot might be typical of fly halves from Pretoria, but Louis Fouché loves playing a running game as well. The youngster has shown a lot of courage and temperament in his first year of Currie Cup and will provide ideal cover for Morné Steyn during a long and taxing year. Good defence is another plus, but opponents will need to be wary most of his ability to drop goals from 50, 60 meters out.
JJ Engelbrecht
http://www.thebulls.co.za/profile.aspx?pid=1131&team=Senior
Position Wing
Height 1.90
Weight 95
Date of Birth February 22 1989
Place of Birth Port Elizabeth
Provincial Debut 2009 v Elephants
Provincial Caps 27
Provincial Points 65
Super 14 Debut 2012 v Sharks
Super 14 Caps 2
Super 14 Points 5
Test Debut
Test Caps 0
Test Points 0
The hard-running Engelbrecht will be keen for some game time in the competition, the reason why he moved from Western Province and the Stormers at the end of the 2011 season. Fast and dangerous on attack, the new recruit will provide coach Frans Ludeke with valuable options, both on attack and defence. This could be a big year for the winger, who has consistently delivered at Currie Cup level.
Johann Sadie
http://www.thebulls.co.za/profile.aspx?pid=1141&team=Senior
Position Centre
Height 1.86
Weight 93
Date of Birth January 23 1989
Place of Birth Malmesbury
Provincial Debut 2010 v Border (WP)
Provincial Caps 16
Provincial Points 30
Super 14 Debut 2011 t Reds (Stormers)
Super 14 Caps 8
Super 14 Points 10
Test Debut
Test Caps 0
Test Points 0
The exciting midfielder comes to the Bulls amid huge expectation and hype. Regarded as one of the brightest stars in backline play in South Africa, Bulls fans will be keen to see if the elusive playmaker can continue his rich vein of form shown in Stormers and Western Province colours in 2011. A massive attacking force and great distributor, Sadie could unlock the potential of the Bulls backline big time.