The Bulls started their preparations for next season’s Super Rugby competition at Loftus Versfeld’s B-field in Pretoria on Monday. It is scary when you read the list of players that are not Bulls anymore. The 4 most used captains are all in that list.
Pierre Spies and Chiliboy Ralepelle are strong candidates to take over from Victor Matfield as the new captain.
They started their early preparations without several stalwarts from the last number of seasons. Gone are Victor Matfield, Derick Kuün and Jaco Pretorius (retired), Bakkies Botha, Gary Botha, Gurthrö Steenkamp, Fourie du Preez, Danie Rossouw (overseas) and Gerhard van den Heever, Stephan Dippenaar, Stefan Watermeyer, Francois Brummer and Jaco van der Westhuyzen (released).
However, coach Frans Ludeke will be pleased with the acquisition of stars such as Johann Sadie (centre), JJ Engelbrecht (wing) and Lionel Cronjé (flyhalf) – all signed from rivals, the Stormers.
The Bulls, on Monday, also announced the signing of Nairobi-born utility forward Daniel Adongo from the Sharks. The 22-year-old Kenyan player has been a member of the Sharks Academy in recent years and represented the Sharks at under-19, under-21 and Vodacom Cup level, playing in all 10 of the Sharks XV’s matches in 2011, and scoring three tries. Adongo will start training with his new team on Tuesday.
Spies and Ralepelle are considered the favourites to take over the captaincy role as both are experienced players certain of their place in the starting line-up.
Other captaincy candidates are Dewald Potgieter, Wilhelm Steenkamp and Wynand Olivier, although Olivier is more likely to be named as vice-captain.
Steenkamp captained the Cheetahs in Super Rugby a few times this year and Potgieter has captained the Boks in weekday tour matches.
The Bulls will hold a press conference in Pretoria on Tuesday where Ludeke is expected to give more insight on who his captain will be.
I can not say for sure but there are a hell of a lot of experience gone. I am just guessing but in VM(100), DK(70), JP(40), BB(80), GB(70) , GS(60) , FdP(80) , DR(70), GvdH(40), and the others at least 20 games each there must be almost 1000 Super Rugby caps lost in one season.
I will be patient , i think it will be arrogant to expect the Bulls to win it next season, but we are a impatient lot of supporters. Not nearly as patient as the Stormers , so we wont accept years of turmoil, we will demand results and with that i mean, we want Cups.
I just wish the Bulls would follow the Crusaders career path and not that of the Brumbies , who totally disappeared as serious contenders after their purple patch.
I just hope they dont make Pierre Spies captain. That would kill of the chances of Arno Botha and the other young lose forwards. Lets go for CR rather. Who is the other hookers in the Bulls squad? Surely CR will be the best and most highly rated one amongst our bunch.
@ superBul:
dis min of meer die hoeveelheid spelers wat die cheetahs elke jaar verloor,ek sal na n dinamiese stoere bloubul soek wat lojalityd hoog bokand geld en satus stel en in daai groep is net een so n speler,hy het sy kontrak hernu ten spyte van die feit dat hy laas jaar bykans geen speelkans gehad het nie daai speler is lojaal in die selde klas as andre venter en juan smith,jy beloon hom met die kapteinskap,sy naam ….Chillie Booi Rallapele
I always thought that Dewalt Potgieter was next in line, for the Bok job as well, but it seems as if he has lost form and is out of contention. Based on merit, it should be Chilliboy.
I would also go for Chilliboy. man he is an awesome player and currently the best hooker at the bulls so will always be playing. Think Pierre Spies needs to focus on his game more as he seems to be getting back to his best although not quite there yet, I agree with Super that at this stage Arno would be my no 1 eight!!!!
Waar was die site gister GBS? ek het amper weer erge trauma beleef!!!!!
Its scary how many players that the Bulls have lost. They will definitely have a year or two building to do.
If I was Ludeke, I would appoint either Chiliboy or Dewald. The rest of the candidates would leave me a bit cold if I was a Bulls supporter.
I can’t see how Spies will keep his place considering his current form and the form of the Bulls laaitjies.
@ Lion4ever:
The Bulls could just poach Josh Strauss and appoint him captain.
Hellooooooooooooo
I’m on my way to a Media Day with the Bulls… have to be in the Loftus Auditorium just before 11:00.
The Super Rugby Squad will be announced as well as the new Captain and Vice Captain.
Bulls Ceo, Barend van Graan, Heyneke Meyer and Frans Ludeke will then speak to us…
From Loftus we all depart by bus, Bulls players included, to Leriba Lodge for Lunch till 16:00 when the bus will depart for Loftus again…
So, I’ll have tthe answers plus a lot more info in less than 2 hours….
Gooooooooooooi Mieliessssssssss!
PS! Dis lekker om ‘n Bul te wees!
@Loosehead # 8
NOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!
@ grootblousmile:
Update us you blikskottle.
Spies is aangewys as kaptein en WO as onderkaptein.
Forwards: Pierre Spies ©, CJ Stander, Arno Botha*, Gerrit-Jan van Velze, Daniel Adonga*, Jean Cook*, Dewald Potgieter, Jacques Potgieter*, Jono Ross*, Warwick Tecklenburg*, Deon Stegmann, Juandré Kruger, Mthunzi Mabeta, Wilhelm Steenkamp, Flip van der Merwe, LB Lusaseni*, Cornell Hess*, Franco Mostert*, Werner Kruger, Rossouw de Klerk, Frik Kirsten, Dean Greyling, Morné Mellett, Juan Louw Schoeman*, Dawie Steyn*, Chiliboy Ralepelle, Willie Wepener*, Robbie Coetzee*, Bongi Mbonambi*.
Sal wil sien dat die Bulle begin met Stegmann, J Pottie en Spies, en dan die tweede helfte Arno en D Pottie opstuur.
Ben dis nogals ‘n sterk klomp manne hoor!!!
Wou eintlik se dat as Spies op form is en hy begin, kan dit net angswekkend vir die ander spanne wees as Arno dan ook nog as impak speler gebruik word hehehehe
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