The Bulls once again take the lead in this years S14 race, but that’s not the only area they lead in according to some.
Gary Boshoff for Sport24
Fortress Loftus, the Bull Ring or Loftus Versfeld, call it what you want, the home of the Blue Bulls is one of the most intimidating sports arenas in the world. This is especially so for visiting teams who not only has to face a formidable opponent on the field, but also a crowd of supporters that is as passionate and fanatic as you can find anywhere in the world.
As we enter the business end of the Super 14 Competition two of the Bulls’ remaining three fixtures are at home (Sharks & Crusaders) and with the Bulls securely at the top of the log, they are odds on favourites to stay there until the play-offs, a remarkable achievement indeed. After Saturday’s demolition job of the Auto & General Lions they look unbeatable!
However, this cannot be taken for granted especially since the Sharks (their next opponent) is with their backs against the wall and has to keep on winning to keep their very slight hope of a play-off spot alive. On Saturday the Bulls face a very desperate Sharks team who is intent on finishing the competition on a high after a dismal start to the season. For Plumtree & Co it is about professional pride and competing to be the top rugby franchise in South Africa.
The Bulls have established themselves as the ultimate professional rugby franchise in South Africa and the Southern Hemisphere by winning the Super 14 in 2007 and completely dominating the competition since 2009! The recent appointment of former mastermind Heyneke Meyer as Director of Coaching, Victor Matfield as Captain and the elevation of Morne Steyn to South Africa’s number one pivot, has once again given the Bulls that all-important edge over its local and Sanzar rivals.
The Bulls have systematically set about addressing their shortcomings to build a team that today finds itself on the verge of an unprecedented third Super 14 title! The past two years the Bulls struggled with its scrum, traditionally a strong point of the Pretoria-based team.
The acquisition of former Springbok hooker Gary Botha has made the world’s difference to the Bulls’ scrum. Add to that a resurgent Gurthro Steenkamp and a matured Werner Kruger and the Bulls scrum is almost back to its former glory.
One just has to look at the talent in the Bulls’ Vodacom team as well as the junior teams to understand the importance of investing in a healthy, sustainable rugby system to support success at the highest level. The importance of this was realised years back when Heyneke Meyer was appointed as Head Coach of the Blue Bulls in 2001.
It is therefore not surprising that the Bulls have become “the benchmark” for rugby excellence in South Africa. The Bulls’ professional system works, this is clear from the results and the number of quality players that their system produces for South African rugby. Some of these players find their way to other franchises, e.g. Hendrik Roodt (Australia); Adriaan Fondse (Stormers); Wilhelm Steenkamp (Sharks); Marius Delport (Lions) and many others.
The Bulls have also taken talented players from other parts of the country and turned them into top class professional players that can compete at the highest level of the game.
These players get access to the best possible coaching methods, technical advice and medical support available. A good example is Zane Kirchner who was recruited as a raw talent from Griquas and within three years found himself in the Springbok side, a well-rounded professional at the top of his game.
The Blue Bulls Rugby Union and its commercial arm, the Blue Bulls Company (PTY) Ltd can therefore take much of the credit for the resurgence of the Springboks as a force in international rugby.
In many ways the Bulls have lead the way in the commercialisation and professionalization of the game in South Africa and it is fitting that they are once again leading the race for the most sought after rugby championship in the Southern Hemisphere.
Gary Boshoff is a former Saru player and well-known rugby administrator.
Truely a great franchise !!!
Leading by example. In a lot of instances.
Dit sal dalk wys wees vir ons, as Bulls ondersteuners, om stilletjies te “gloat”… hehehe
Flok, ek is maar bekommerd oor Saterdag…
Coming from Gary Boshoff…..I won’t start gloating just yet.
Doesn’t matter who it comes from…it’s a fact !!!
4@ Blouste – Gaan jy Fort Loftus toe Saterdag?
As ek reg is, is daar ‘n Double Header Saterdag…. Blou Bulle Vodacom Cup vs Sharks XV op Loftus “C” en dan Bulls vs Sharks as hoofgereg….
Nee jong. Ek is op die oomblik so bloody besig ek kry nie my gat gedraai nie…
Sien jy gaan daar in die “box” sit 😛
7@ Blouste – Ek kon vir jou plek georganise het in die Box…..
Was daar in superBul se wereld maar was so besig kon nie eers daarby uitkom om ‘n draai by hom te kan maak nie.
Sal dit maar Junie moet doen.
Hmmm, sal dit bietjie onthou in die toekoms 😆
So if you go to Loftus with a Sharks Jersey on, are you safe?….hahaha. There should be plenty Sharks supporters going.
Puma
He he he, there are always a lot of Sharks supporters there when your team plays, and I might add, there has never been any bad blood between supporters that I know of…
11@ Puma – Perfectly safe, no problems…. Loftus is a jovial crowd, I promise… and with a diplomatic fella like you, no problem!
Remember we have respect for our elders too, so you’ll be sorted, hell they’ll even help Oupa Puma up to his seat as well… and dry his tears afterwards…. hehehe
He he he
Ok guys, I’m tired tired tired…
Been driving back to the Vuildriehoek aswell.
Gaan nou ‘n versterkintjie neem, bietjie op die bank le en dan inkruip.
Chat weer more.
Lekker aand almal !!!
Gbs, gaan jy in Orlando se press box ook sit? 😆
14@ Blouste-Blinkste-Kaalkop – Cheers mater, gooi mielie
13 – gbs, Probably dry my Tears of happiness after we win………hehehe. They can help me up if there are plenty of steps to climb though. LOL. Sort of thinking of going but think the seats are sold out by now. Though up till now Loftus has not had fullhouse but with this game think it will be.
I know at the Tank when the Bulls come their supporters come and braai with us afterwards. You know we are the friendly bunch from Durbs…. 😀
15@ Blouste – Net as die Bulls vir my Transport reel in ‘n Limmo!
14 – Cheers Blouste, good to catch up again.
lmal…
Cheers almal.
Keep well.
17@ Oupa Puma – Say if I should ask Michelle Morrison if I can bring my Oupa to the Box… hell there’s even a lift to take us up….
Ek gaan netnou , n bietjie Blou bul stats post wat die “bussiness end of the season” dek.
Ek het dit intresant gevind en dit laat mens maar net weer die Bulle se wonderlike opmars sien. Ons is klein bietjie agter die “great achievements of the Crusaders” Ek lek my lippe af.
Right laat ek gou my stats check dan post ek hom, lekkerrrr
Anyway, good night… I had a badddddddddddd night’s sleep last night
22 – gbs, Good night my friend. Probably will just watch from the comfy of my home. If this weather continues. Thanks though.
I too am out of here. Good night everyone.
ag flok nou hol jul, stink my hol
The AB’s led the pack into each RWC as well….history speaks for itself.
Come KO stages anything is possible.
27 Spoken like a true Blonde 🙂
These are not the AB’s we are talking about!!!!
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