Bulls 2011

[Blue]

For the most part the squad now seems settled. New players in Italic.

Fullback: Zane Kirchner, Jaco van der Westhuyzen (Utility - wing, 10)
Wings: Bjorn Basson, Akona Ndungane, Gerhard van den Heever
Centres: Stephan Dippenaar, Jaco Pretorius, Stefan Watermeyer
2nd 5: Wynand Olivier
10: Morney Steyn, Franscois Brummer
Scrummies: Fourie du Preez, Francois Hougaard (utility - wing), Ruan Snyman
8: Pierre Spies
7: Dewald Potgieter, Gerrit-Jan van Velze
6 (openside): Doen Stegmann, Derick Kuun (utility - hooker)
Locks: Bakkies Botha, Juandré Kruger, Victor Matfield, Flip van der Merwe, Fudge Mabeta, Danie Rossouw (utility - back row)
Props: Werner Kruger, Gurthro Steenkamp, Rossouw De Klerk, Frik Kirsten, Dean Greyling
Hookers: Gary Botha, Chiliboy Ralepelle

(There are about ten backup players from the greater Bulls setup that could be introduced into the squad as injuries happen but the above is the core.)

New faces to watch:
Dean Greyling. Watch this guy. Best young prop I've seen in the Bulls setup for some time. Very mobile and looks solid in the scrums.
Juandre Kruger. Big Vic's understudy. Athletic and great lineout player.
Stefan Watermeyer. Very promising young centre and a nicely balanced runner. Could he be the answer to the 13 problem we've had for a few years?
Franscois Brumner - If M Steyn goes down we'll find out if we can believe the hype out of SA about this guy.
Bjorn Basson - Lightning fast and it's not from drinking the wrong Gatorade.

Strengths:

• Immense forward depth. More than any other team in the comp in my not so humble at all opinion.
• Experience - know how to win when it matters and not afraid of going down 20 points early in a game.
• Last run for Vic and Fourie Doep - expect a big effort from them and drag everyone else along.

Weaknesses:

• Backline depth. Rookie backup at 10. No real standout at 13. No real backup at 12.
• Defense in the outside centre channel has been a problem for two years and I am still concerned.
• Complacency?

My prediction:Second behind Stormers in SA conference, semi-final losers.

 

[Richard D. James]

Strong squad... I think only the Crusaders compare. I expect a Bulls/Saders final, at least on paper.

 

[Hawko]

Interesting analysis. From your list the other area that looks thin is the back row. I know you have Danie Roussow, but if you get a couple of injuries or so there it could be a problem unless there's a youngster in the wings ready to step up.

 

[fatprop]

They still have the best player in the world (Fourie du Preez) they are much much better side with this guy out there

 

[Blue]

Interesting analysis. From your list the other area that looks thin is the back row. I know you have Danie Roussow, but if you get a couple of injuries or so there it could be a problem unless there's a youngster in the wings ready to step up.

Well spotted. There are a couple of guys who did well in the Currie Cup. CJ Stander is a very capable replacement who played very well towards the end of the CC. He was U/21 captain a couple of years back. Back row depth has never been a problem and the guys that are there are pretty durable. We have traditionally gone in with more backup in the tight 5 than back row and it is expected of the back row to shoulder a lot of work.

I like van Velze. Like a Duane Vermeulen type of back rower. Hard, straight runner and loves to hit the rucks. One for the future. Can play 7 and 8.

Getting back row backup in the lower ranks won't be a problem. It's at 12 and 13 where I break out in a sweat. Jaco Pretorius is injury prone, Olivier is showing wear and tear and if Watermeyer doesn't fulfil his promise we are in trouble.

 

[Lee Grant]

Thanks for that Blue - a terrific assessment of the team.

 

[Newb]

blue - know of any players starting the season injured?

steenkamp did his arm or something right?

 

[Blue]

blue - know of any players starting the season injured?

steenkamp did his arm or something right?

Steenkamp is fit - that was a broken arm at the end of CC last year

Matfield - neck problem since 3N - will be fit for opener and has been in rehab since EOYT but it has only been a contact issue he has been training

Kirchner - Ribs in trial game - three weeks according to reports

Bakkies Botha - recovering from brain surgery. Apparently not a success. He woke up and headbutted the doctor.

 

[Lee Grant]

Bakkies Botha - recovering from brain surgery. Apparently not a success. He woke up and headbutted the doctor.

:lmao: :lmao: :lmao:

One of your best Blue.

 

[PaarlBok]

Just to get to the backup depth of the Brutes, their Vodacom team to play Namibia on the weekend, again a few WP poaches
Sport24

Regular captain, Gerrit-Jan van Velze, will again lead the Vodacom Blue Bulls Vodacom Cup-side in their fist fixture for 2011, a friendly match against Namibia in Windhoek.

Temporary coach Denzil Frans included numerous new players, including Ulrich Beyers (WP u.19), Louis Fouché (Leopards u.21) and Dustin Jinka (WP Vodacom) who will play for this team for the first time. The rest of the team consists of members of the Blue Bulls u.19- and u.21-squads from last year.

The Vodacom Blue Bulls team to play Namibia in the Hage Geingob Stadium, Windhoek on Saturday February 12th at 15h30 is:
Ulrich Beyers, Courtnall Skosan, Bradley Moolman, Franco Maritz, Dirk Dippenaar, Louis Fouché, Dustin Jinka, Gerrit-Jan van Velze (c), CJ Stander, Tendayi Chikukwa, Cornell Hess, Mthunzi Mabeta, Frik Kirsten, Henri Bantjes, Juan Pike. Replacements: Zane Botha, Juan Schoeman, Andries Ferreira, Marnus Schoeman, Danie Faasen, JC Roos, Pieter van der Walt.

Bradley Moolman , midfielder, a Monnas boy sure one to look in the future, will play SA U20 this year.

 

[disco]

Blue & PB,
What's your best 22?

 

[Blue]

Kirchner
vd Heever, Hougaard
Watermeyer, Olivier
Steyn
Fourie Du Preez
Spies
Potgieter, Stegmann
Vic, Bakkies
Steenkamp, Botha, Kruger

Basson (Wing)
vd Westhuizen (10,15)
Pretorius (12,13)
A prop (not sure)
Flip vd Merwe(lock)
Kuun (2, back row)
Danie Rossouw (lock, back row)

 

[PaarlBok]

Basson on the wing, Hougaard to the bench.

 

[Hartman]

Rossouw at 7, Potgieter to the bench

 

[Blue]

Rossouw at 7, Potgieter to the bench

Much of a muchness and will depend on the type of loose forwards the opposition play. If they are really more mobile, Pottie will start.

I suspect Rossouw's role will more be in the lock starting, the odd start at 8, or subbing at 7 but he will start very few games at 7.

 

[BRIX]

Too old and too slow.

It's early, and a big call, but after tonights match I can't see the Bulls coming close to winning this years Super Title.

Whats there to say. They dominated the first half and were cruising at 24-5 thanks to some solid forward work (and Steyn's boot from penalties off of scrums). Set pieces were good as usual for the bulls and to their credit, they also defended about 15+ consecutive phases while the Lions were camped in their half too but thats about it.

Long story short, the Lions enjoyed 71% of possession in the 2nd half and completely dominated the Bulls who were left scoreless. The interplay from the Lions was incredible. They were unlucky to have lost the game 24-20 and saw the match slip with a Rory Kockott knock on 10 meters out.

Waylon Murray played the best game I've ever seen him play. Kiwi import James Kamana was outstanding when he came on and injected some great pace into the side too.

The Bulls play the Cheetahs at Bloem next week and will want to use that game to get their confidence level back up because right now they look dusty. Apologies to my Saffa mates for the pessimistic undertones of my post but I think you'll agree with me when I say that they looked lifeless tonight.

Would love to hear from anyone else that watched the game, and more importantly how they rate the Bulls' chances of a 3-pete after tonight

 

[Blue]

Too old and too slow.

It's early, and a big call, but after tonights match I can't see the Bulls coming close to winning this years Super Title.

Whats there to say. They dominated the first half and were cruising at 24-5 thanks to some solid forward work (and Steyn's boot from penalties off of scrums). Set pieces were good as usual for the bulls and to their credit, they also defended about 15+ consecutive phases while the Lions were camped in their half too but thats about it.

Long story short, the Lions enjoyed 71% of possession in the 2nd half and completely dominated the Bulls who were left scoreless. The interplay from the Lions was incredible. They were unlucky to have lost the game 24-20 and saw the match slip with a Rory Kockott knock on 10 meters out.

Waylon Murray played the best game I've ever seen him play. Kiwi import James Kamana was outstanding when he came on and injected some great pace into the side too.

The Bulls play the Cheetahs at Bloem next week and will want to use that game to get their confidence level back up because right now they look dusty. Apologies to my Saffa mates for the pessimistic undertones of my post but I think you'll agree with me when I say that they looked lifeless tonight.

Would love to hear from anyone else that watched the game, and more importantly how they rate the Bulls' chances of a 3-pete after tonight

We have a history of starting very slowly and games against the Lions have never been pretty.

But I think too much is being made of the age thing. If we don't win it again it won't have much to do with age.

Three key players just over 30 and suddenly the team is too old? Don't buy it.