In the first week of discussion of Super Rugby squad contenders for 2015 (17 to 21 December), we will discuss 2 positions in 10 seperate Articles (Props & Hookers) – seperating the Articles of the 5 SA Super Rugby participating franchises.
That means 10 Super Rugby Articles every week from now on.
The basic idea is to discuss the players IN the Super Rugby Group, and not all the options beyond that.
In this Article we look at the contenders for PROPS in the Vodacom Bulls 2015 Super Rugby group, and whether they could force their way into Bok contention.
Suggestions as to what to add to these Articles are welcome, but please hurry as the next Article will follow this one shortly!
The Contenders:
Name: Dean MacGyver Greyling “Wors”:
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Four years ago Greyling was a back-up prop to Gurthrö Steenkamp at the Bulls, but with the latter now in Toulouse, Greyling used that opportunity to cast his own shadow. Powerful with ball in hand but often with suspect technique on the loosehead side of the scrum, he impressed a lot of people in 2011 and 2012, even making the Springbok side. He made a lasting yet very dubious impression when called upon for Test match duty, specially when he cleared Richie McCaw illegally from a ruck earning him a deserved Yellow Card and then subsequently being dropped from Springbok contention.
Dean MacGyver Greyling was one of the stars of the 2004 Craven Week competition and if he could sort out his wayward scrumming technique and propensity for stupidity he could established himself as a powerhouse in South African rugby.
Greyling attended Affies, in Pretoria, and played for the Bulls age-group sides from 2005 to 2007. He was one of the standout players in the 2010 Currie Cup and was rewarded with a call up to the Springboks Preliminary training squad ahead of their end-of-year tour. He continued his good form during the 2011 Super Rugby and was selected to start at loosehead prop for the Springboks on their Tri- Nations tour against Australia and New Zealand in 2011.
Funny story – It seems that Greyling, whilst a youngster, was besotted with the television programme MacGyver and pestered his folks to the extent that they actually changed his name on his birth certificate. All grown up now, there was the idea to change it, but Greyling decided otherwise.
Dean managed to repair his reputation somewhat in 2014 but his scrumming technique is still suspect at times, though he is a devil in loose play. He still needs to work harder at his shortcomings and has serious competition for the loosehead spot in 2015, with the arrival of Trevor Nyakane at the Bulls.
Greyling is a very hard strike runner and is a very busy player in the loose and at ruck and maul time.
Rugby Career:
- 2004: Blue Bulls (Under 18 Coca-Cola Craven Week)
- 2005: Blue Bulls (ABSA Currie Cup Qualifying Rounds), Blue Bulls (Under 21)
- 2006: Blue Bulls (Vodacom Cup), Blue Bulls (Under 19)
- 2007: Blue Bulls (Under 21), Blue Bulls (Vodacom Cup), Blue Bulls (Currie Cup Premier Division)
- 2008: Blue Bulls (Currie Cup Premier Division), Blue Bulls (Vodacom Cup), Bulls (Super 14)
- 2009: Blue Bulls (Currie Cup Premier Division), Blue Bulls (Vodacom Cup)
- 2010: Blue Bulls (Currie Cup Premier Division), Vodacom Bulls (Super 14)
- 2011: Vodacom Bulls (Super Rugby) & Springboks
- 2012: Vodacom Bulls (Super Rugby) & Springboks (Tri Nations)
- 2013: Vodacom Bulls & Blue Bulls (Super Rugby & Currie Cup Premier Division)
- 2014: Vodacom Bulls & Blue Bulls (Super Rugby & Currie Cup Premier Division)
Name: Werner Kruger:
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Kruger improved season upon season until 2011 when a call-up to the Springboks was no surprise. In 2012 and 2013 there was a bit of a slump in his form, with some improvement in 2014 but he still regularly made the Bulls Super Rugby side. Already a stalwart in previous Bulls packs, it will be expected of this durable prop to show the way as a senior member of the tight five. He has to re-generate the basics of scrumming and show a re-newed passion for rugby in 2015.
He made his debut for the Bulls during the 2008 season. Kruger was part of the Bulls team that won both the 2009 and 2010 Super 14 finals. He has represented South Africa at Under 21 level and in 2011 also the Springboks.
For the 2015 season, Werner Kruger has a serious rival for the starting Tighthead position, in Marcel van der Merwe, who became a Springbok in 2014. Frans Ludeke has always favoured Werner Kruger, despite calls by many (myself included) to relegate Kruger to the bench. I still expect Werner Krugerto playa vital role in the Bulls side in 2015.
Kruger’s contribution does not finish with scrumming, he was known to be solid on defense and often enough topped the stats with cleans at the ruck and his support play at line-out time was spot-on.
“I have tasted what it is like to play for the Springboks and I want more. I would like to be involved with the Springboks again and play tests for my country.”
I do not think Werner is in contention for the Springboks and has certainly been usurped by Marcel van der Merwe, Frans Malherbe at the Stormers, Julian Redelinghuys & Ruan Dreyer at the Lions and Lourens Adriaanse at the Sharks.
Rugby Career:
- 2002: Falcons (Bankin Under 21)
- 2003: Falcons (ABSA Under 20 Section B), Blue Bulls (Vodacom Cup)
- 2004: Blue Bulls (ABSA Under 20 Competition Section A)
- 2005: Blue Bulls (Vodacom Cup), Blue Bulls (ABSA Under 21 Competition), South Africa (IRB Under 21 World Championships)
- 2006: Blue Bulls (ABSA Under 21 Competition), Blue Bulls (Vodacom Cup), South Africa (IRB Under 21 World Championship)
- 2007: Blue Bulls (Vodacom Cup), Blue Bulls (Currie Cup Premier Division), Blue Bulls XV (ABSA Currie Cup Compulsory Friendlies)
- 2008: Vodacom Bulls (Super 14), Blue Bulls (ABSA Currie Cup Compulsory Friendlies), Blue Bulls (Currie Cup Premier Division)
- 2009: Bulls (MTN test), Vodacom Bulls (Super 14), Emerging Springboks (British & Irish Lions Tour), Blue Bulls (ABSA Currie Cup Compulsory Friendlies), Blue Bulls (Currie Cup Premier Division)
- 2010: Vodacom Bulls (Super 14), Blue Bulls (ABSA Currie Cup Compulsory Friendlies), Blue Bulls (Currie Cup Premier Division), Springboks (Outgoing Tours)
- 2011: Vodacom Bulls (Super Rugby), Blue Bulls (Currie Cup Premier Division), Springboks (Tri Nations)
- 2012: Vodacom Bulls (Super Rugby), Springboks (Castle Incoming Tours), Blue Bulls (Currie Cup Premier Division)
- 2013: Vodacom Bulls (Super Rugby), Blue Bulls (Currie Cup Premier Division)
- 2014: Vodacom Bulls (Super Rugby), Blue Bulls (Currie Cup Premier Division)
Name: Trevor Ntando Nyakane:
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Trevor Ntondo Nyakane plays both Tighthead and Loosehead prop.
Trevor played his Junior Rugby for the Limpopo Blue Bulls from 2005 (Under 16), and took part in the Under 18 Coca-Cola Craven Week in both 2006 and 2007. In 2007 he was selected for the SA Schools Academy side.
In 2009 he moved to the Free State where he played Under 19 (2008) and thereafter Under 21 rugby (from 2009). Trevor layed in the Vodacom Cup for the Free State Cheetahs from 2010.
Trevor also played Varsity Shield rugby for CUT in 2011 and 2012.
In 2011 Trevor was on loan to the Griffons where he also played in 1 Currie Cup First Division match., before making his big break into the big leagues by playing for the Free State Cheetahs in the Currie Cup Premier Division.
In 2012 Trevor became a regular in the Toyota Cheetahs Super Rugby squad and Currie Cup Premier Division squad.
2013 Was his breaktrough year as he was picked for the Springboks after a stellar Super Rugby season, to play in the June Internationals against Italy, Samoa & Scotland and then also for the Springboks during The Rugby Championship.
In 2014 Nyakane did everything, from Super Rugby, to June Internationals, to The Rugby Championship, Currie Cup Premier Divisionand then finally on the End Of Year Tour. At the end of 2014 Trevor signed for the Vodacom Blue Bulls and his first games for the Bulls will therefor be in 2015.
Trevor is a strong scrummager and what counts heavily in his favour is that he is able to play both at Tighthead and at Loosehead prop. He is very busy in the tight loose and also has very good ball skills for a prop.
If I was Bulls coach Frans Ludeke, Trevor would be my starting Loosehead prop (over Dean Greyling), next to Adriaan Strauss at hooker and erswhile Free State prop Marcel van der Merwe (who has already spent a season at the Bulls). The Bulls 2nd choice front row could be their erswhile 1st choice front row of Dean Greyling, Bandise Maku and Werner Kruger.
Big things are expected of Trevor in 2015.
Rugby Career:
- 2005: Limpopo Blue Bulls (Under 16 Coca-Cola Grant Khomo Week)
- 2006: Limpopo (Under 18 Coca-Cola Craven Week)
- 2007: Limpopo (Under 18 Coca-Cola Craven Week), SA Schools Academy
- 2008: Free State (ABSA Under 19 Competition)
- 2009: Free State (ABSA Under 21 Competition)
- 2010: Free State (Vodacom Cup), Free State (ABSA Under 21 Competition)
- 2011: CUT (FNB Varsity Shield), Toyota Free State Cheetahs (Vodacom Cup), Emerging Cheetahs (ABSA Currie Cup Compulsory friendlies), Tasol Solar Griffons (ABSA Currie Cup First Division), Toyota Free State Cheetahs (ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division)
- 2012: CUT (FNB Varsity Shield), Toyota Cheetahs (Vodacom Super Rugby), Toyota Free State Cheetahs (ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division)
- 2013: Toyota Cheetahs (Lions Challenge), Toyota Cheetahs (Vodacom Super Rugby), Springboks (Castle Lager Incoming Series), Toyota Free State Cheetahs (ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division), Springboks (The Rugby Championship)
- 2014: Toyota Cheetahs (Vodacom Super Rugby), Springboks (Castle Lager Incoming Series), Toyota Free State Cheetahs (ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division), Springboks (The Rugby Championship), Springboks (Castle Lager Outgoing Tour)
Name: Marcel van der Merwe:
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This hardy tighthead prop moved from the Toyota Free State Cheetahs to join the Bulls for the 2013 season and beyond but 2013 was a nightmare season with a long term injury keeping him out of the side.
In 2004 he really came to the foreground and was rewarded with Springok honours as a result.
Marcel would undoubtedly be my 1st choice Tighthead prop for the Bulls and if I was Frans Ludeke he would fit in as starter next to Adriaan Strauss and Trevor Nyakane. The fact that Frik Kirsten has retired also enhances his chances to always featuire in the match-day 23 during Super Rugby in 2015.
He represented Western Province in the Grant Khomo Week in 2006 and graduated to the Western Province Under 18 Coca-Cola Craven Week side in 2008, then moved to the Free State where he played in the ABSA Under 19 Competition in 2009. In 2010 He played for Shimlas in the FNB Varsity Cup, for the Free State Cheetahs in the Vodacom Cup and for the Junior springboks in the IRB Junior World Championships. 2010 Was a good year for Marcel because he also played for the Free State Cheetahs in some Currie Cup friendlies, the ABSA Under 21 Competition and the ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division.
In 2011 he played for the Free State Cheetahs in the Vodacom Cup and in the ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division.
2012 Was his break-through year and he represented the Toyota Cheetahs in Super Rugby, the Vodacom Cup, the ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division and also in the Promotion / Relegation games against the EP Kings.
I was wrong at the start of 2014 when I predited he was not a reasonable prospect for Springbok honours in 2014… and I am very glad I was wrong!
The year 2015 could define Marcel, as there is also the prospect of being chosen to represent the Springboks at the Rugby World Cup from mid September.
Marcel has proven that he is a strong Tighthead but also that he is very busy in the looseand an excellent tackler, who carries the ball up strongly, whilst possessing good ball skills for a prop.
Rugby Career:
- 2006: Western Province (Under 16 Coca-Cola Grant Khomo Week)
- 2008: Western Province (Under 18 Coca-Cola Craven Week), Elite Squads (Under 18 Elite Squads)
- 2009: Free State (ABSA Under 19 Competition)
- 2010: Shimlas (FNB Varsity Cup), Free State (Vodacom Cup), South Africa (IRB Junior World Championships), Vodacom Free State Cheetahs (ABSA Currie Cup Compulsory Friendlies), Free State (ABSA Under 21 Competition), Vodacom Free State Cheetahs (ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division)
- 2011: Toyota Free State Cheetahs (Vodacom Cup), Emerging Cheetahs (ABSA Currie Cup Compulsory friendlies), Toyota Free State Cheetahs (ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division)
- 2012: Toyota Free State XV (Vodacom Cup), Toyota Cheetahs (Vodacom Super Rugby), Toyota Free State Cheetahs (ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division), Toyota Free State Cheetahs (ABSA Currie Cup Promotion / Relegation)
- 2013: Vodacom Blue Bulls (ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division)
- 2014: Vodacom Bulls (Vodacom Super Rugby), Springboks (Castle Lager Incoming Series), Springboks (The Rugby Championship), Vodacom Blue Bulls (ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division)
Name: Morné Melvin Mellett:
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Morné is a loosehead prop who has battled injuries in the last couple of seasons. He was drafted into the Vodacom Bulls 2012 touring squad to Australasia, although he did not play and made his Super Rugby debut against the Stormers in 2013 but only played about half the regular season before injury struck, leaving him to only return during the Currie Cup in 2013.
He joined the Blue Bulls out of school and came through the structures well. Former Valke Craven Week and Vodacom Cup for Blue Bulls.
After representing the Falcons at several youth tournaments, he joined the Blue Bulls in 2010.
He made his first team debut for the Blue Bulls in the 2010 Vodacom Cup, coming on as a substitute in their game against his former team, the Falcons. He made several appearances in this competition over the next three seasons and finally made his Currie Cup debut in the 2012 Currie Cup Premier Division against the Free State Cheetahs. He now has 10 Blue Bulls senior caps and 24 Super Rugby caps for the Bulls.
He also played for Tuks in the 2010 and 2011 Varsity Cup competitions.
He was plagued with injury for a long time in 2014.
I rate Morné Mellett highy and have often lamented the fact that Frans Ludeke has preferred Dean Greyling over Mellett, of course now he is up against Trevor Nyakane too for a position.
Rugby Career:
- 2006: Falcons (Under 18 Academy Week)
- 2007: Valke (Under 18 Coca-Cola Craven Week), Vodacom Blue Bulls (ABSA Under 19 Competition)
- 2008: Vodacom Blue Bulls (ABSA Under 19 Competition)
- 2009: Blue Bulls (ABSA Under 21 Competition), South Africa (IRB Junior World Championships)
- 2010: TUKS (FNB Varsity Cup), Blue Bulls (Vodacom Cup), Blue Bulls (ABSA Under 21 Competition)
- 2011: TUKS (FNB Varsity Cup), Blue Bulls (Vodacom Cup)
- 2012: Vodacom Blue Bulls (Vodacom Cup), Vodacom Blue Bulls (ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division)
- 2013: Vodacom Bulls (Vodacom Super Rugby), Vodacom Blue Bulls (ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division)
- 2014: Vodacom Bulls (Vodacom Super Rugby), Vodacom Blue Bulls (ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division)
Starters:
The Bulls have quite a bit more choice in 2015 as to who will be their starting props, with both Trevor Nyakane and Marcel van der Merwe more recent Springbok props than the previously favoured Dean Greyling and Werner Kruger, who seemed to hog the prop positions whilst not always performing up to par. Morné Mellet seems to be over his injury worries and could also make a strong claim for the match-day 23. Frik Kirsten has of course in the meantime retired due to ongoing neck injury problems.
There is no reason why the Bulls scrum, with these props anchoring their scrum, should not be right up there in the quality stakes!
The players who will play at prop for the Bulls are all seasoned campaigners, and will want to prove that the Bulls traditional strenghts at scrumtime will relive in 2015.
In addition, the Bulls also have upcoming youngsters like Hencus van Wyk to fall back on.
The next Article in the Bulls range will deal with the Bulls hookers.
This is the 1st of 40 Articles dealing with SA Super Rugby Players for 2015!
Look out for the Cell C Sharks Props as the next Article, followed by the Props for the DHL Stormers, Toyota Cheetahs and Emirates Lions!
@ grootblousmile:
Looks like a typo on Trevor Nyakane’s bio.
You have 2014 listed as his “breakthrough year”, and then say that in 2014 he “did everything”.
Surely the breakthrough year was 2013?
2 @ Scrumdown:
Indeed, thanks!
2 @ Scrumdown:
Hey, when are you coming to fetch that External DVD Writer for your wife?
4 @ grootblousmile:
Was in Varkpan this am. Bur WELLLLL before you rise.
Was at a supplier for a 07h00 meeting.
Will make a plan over the weekend. Family already at the farm while I have to keep the cash flowing!
No rest for the wicked!
grootblousmile wrote:
Thats the spirirt. Keep the best for last.
6 @ Scrumdown:
Between you and me, I do think the Bulls, Lions and Sharks props are the best groups of props in SA.
Stormers & Cheetahs props look a bit thin to me for 2015!
5 @ Scrumdown:
I was up at 06:30… just could not sleep, was somehow very restless, thinking about HAD to happen today… and by now I am already about 3 hours behind schedule… eish!
Would like to know from the recently registered chaps, who were not here during December 2013 and early January 2014, whether they like the format that these Articles will have… and please, do not look at which Franchise this one is for, the other 4 Articles on props ect for the other Franchises will be the same!
Come on, give me feedback, chaps!
Will try to finish the 2nd Article in the Range (Sharks Props) tonight… but damn, it is a huge amount of reference material to get through, to do it!
Not a bad group. Ages between 25-29
Trevor, marcel and mellet have enough time to build a legacy, while dean can still be a devastating inpact player. No reason for ludeke to have a healthy rotation plan in place here.
No reason NOT to have a healthy rotation policy
11 & 12 @ MacroBok:
Altogether, the Bulls have a very good front row for 2015.
Like you say, could rotate nicely.
Now Frans Ludeke MUST just come to the party and make good decisions!
MacroBok wrote:
It’s a shame they can’t rotate Ludeke out, now that would be a healthy rotation plan
Very nice group of props. Now, if somebody can just gel them into a proper scrumming unit. They must be able to use the scrum as a weapon.
15 @ leon:
Eish, Bulls sal Wessel Roux ook maar moet vervang as scrum coach!
@ grootblousmile@16:
Bulle moet vir Dougie Heymans kry. Hy weet van skrum.
Strauss op haker gaan ons skrum ook sterker maak
What happened to Pub Night this week?
Loadshedding?
19 @ Victoriabok:
Yesterday was a public holiday in SA, the Pub was closed… hehehe
The Pub owner must also rest sometimes… otherwise he’ll have to strike at some time!
grootblousmile wrote:
?
Ek dog julle vier nie meer Dingaansdag nie? 😛
21 @ Victoriabok:
Dis nou: Day of Reconciliation…
Whatever the fark that means…
Tonight I had some interruptions, had to advise someone on a Will as well as some of the Tax implications and Estate costs envolved with their wishes, so I’ll finish the Sharks Props Article tomorrow sometime.
See, the big thing with a Will, apart from detailing the “Wishes” of where your Estate needs to go, is that it needs to be concise, clear and ultimately operable or properly and easily executable… and for goodness sakes people, do not try to rule from the GRAVE… that is a grave (pun intended) mistake!
When last did you change your Will?
… because remember one’s situation is always fluid and changes! A good rule of thumb is that a Will needs to be replaced every 2 and a half years, and / or at every junction where a major change occurs in your life!
Simple rules:
1. Never make or settle for a joint Will!
2. Never appoint a professional in his professional capacity as your Executor, neither a Bank or an Executor Company… they WILL work in their own best interests in stead of in the interests of the heirs and beneficiaries! Rather appoint the person you trust the most in life as your Executor, and give that person the Power of Assumption (the power to appoint a professional / company to assist him / her in winding up the Estate)…. in so doing you leave the Executor in control.
3. Make simple yet enough provision for the Costs of winding up the Estate and any Transfer costs and expenses of immovable property.
4. Plan early to curb your own Estate growth, so that Estate Tax does not become a problem… there are various ways to do this, including Family Trusts ect (to move assets away from your personal Estate)…. in other words, do Estate Planning!
5. Make provision that your family and directly dependant people are not left destitute whilst your Estate is being wound up.
6. Expressly clearly revoke all previous Wills and Codicils.
7. Exclude the inheritances / benefits from any benefit of a marriage In Community of Property or a Marriage where the Accrual System applies.
8. Clearly appoint your successors (business) and also successors as Trustees in the case of Family Trusts (remember that the Deed Of Trust needs to authorise that you may do so, if not have the Deed Of Trust amended to contain that).
9. Never get married without an ANC (Antenuptial Contract), because marriage In Comunity of Property is a serious no-no!
10. Leave more than 1 signed copy of your Will (the same Will) in at least 2 different physical locations and tell people where your private documents are stored and / or held by whom… and make sure the Will conforms to all legal requirements of a valid will! That is a discussion on it’s own…
11. Do NOT try to rule from the grave – you will affect the value of assets negatively and people will hate you for it afterwards.
These tips are just quick notes, off the top of my head… and each person’s circumstances differ.
Take it… leave it, it is meant well!
@ grootblousmile:
Hi GBS lots of food for thought there cheers. What do you mean by do not try to rule from the grave?
One of my concerns looking at the Bulls props is that there are only 5 in the squad as discussed here, I would like to see 6 props in the squad as 4 of them will be needed every match day and what to do over the course of a long competition in the case of injury. Far better to have that extra option with the group training and getting game time here and there so that if the need arises that extra prop can take the step up into being a more regular Super rugby player far easier than if they are on the outside possibly playing Vodacom Cup or Varsity Cup rugby.
MacroBok wrote:
Hi MacroBok yeah I also noticed the ages of the players and it looks like a group with a lot of experience but at the same time with those 3 you mentioned still in their mid 20s with lots more years ahead of them, BUT the other two are in their late twenties so I would like to see a young early 20 something prop also in the group. Don’t know the young props at the Blue Bulls are there any that excite you, I see Hencus v Wyk is touted by GBS as a good prospect, hopefully there are a few more there too.
I know the argument is that guys in their late 20s are good age for props and they can continue into their 30s, my concern is about succession planning as the guys in their late 20s have been around for a while and the way things have gone they could be offered a good deal elsewhere reasonably soon in the future and we need to have given some of the younger props time to play at Super rugby level especially while these experienced guys are still around to help guide them, rather than be in a position where one or two of the experience guys leave and we end up with a front row short of experience in the season after.
@ grootblousmile:
@24 I agree – the problem is that many people think “I’m still fit and healthy. I’ll have a look at my will in the future” – big mistake: do it ASAP.
Something to add (while you / we are still “alive and healthy”) – give a spouse / a relative power of attorney to do transactions on your behalf. It will ease the pain of looking for funds. In other words, you may have the funds but if you are incapable of doing transactions due to illness etc., somebody else will be able to do it on your behalf. I am speaking of personal experience – my dad had a stroke 22 years ago and he was a veggie for about 19 months. My mom did not have power of attorney: for some reason they forgot to do it.
@ Bullscot:
A few rather stupid examples will be: “I leave the half of my estate to Scottie if Scottie never get married / stop drinking / divorces his ugly wife etc. 😀
@ Bullscot:
Pierre schoeman was a star prop at age group rugby, but he is another loosehead and is about 22yo. Our weakness(over the country) is tight head where trevor will help cover un a crisis situation.
25 @ Bullscot:
28 @ charlesm:
Another very common EXAMPLE of trying to rule from the grave is to leave an immovable property (eg a house) to someone on condition that he / she may never sell it and that it has to be left to is / her kids in his / her Will.
Also very popular is that the person leaves his / her Estate (or part of it) to their surviving spouse on condition they never get married again.
Bottom line is, when your time is up and your life is done, leave your stuff in a workable way… and then let go!
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