Experienced stars and emerging youngsters among newcomers in Bulls’ preliminary squad
The Bulls announced a preliminary group of players who will be part of their pre-season preparation for next year's SuperRugby tournament.
A provisional squad has been announced last week that will be part of the Bulls‘ preparation for next year’s Super Rugby tournament.
Highly experienced and popular Springbok loose-forward Duane Vermeulen is amongst the new faces in the training group. Vermeulen moved from Toulon earlier this year and following a short spell at Kubota Spears in Japan, will now again play his rugby in South Africa.
The backline will also have some new impact from Blitzboks Dylan Sage and Rosko Specman, while former Springbok winger Cornal Hendricks joins the squad as well.
Former star in the Blue Bull’s junior teams, Stedman Gans, will also joins the group once his Blitzboks duties in the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series are concluded.
Xander Janse van Rensburg, High Performance Manager at the Blue Bulls Company (Pty) Ltd also announced the signing of exciting young loose forward, Muller Uys. The Junior Springbok flanker joins from Western Province and will add youthful energy to the experienced loose trio.
Janse van Rensburg confirmed the continued trial of Carel du Preez. The former Blitzbok will train with the squad till February, when a final call will be made on his future involvement.
“We have also added a junior group to the wider squad. This group consists of some of our best junior players and we believe this exposure to the senior group will expedite their progress and serve as a valuable tool to their development,” said Janse van Rensburg.
Janse van Rensburg has confirmed that Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus will be involved in the Bulls in an advisory capacity during next year’s SuperRugby tournament.
The Currie Cup coaches led by Pote Human are currently leading the pre-season program.
The Bulls’ wider training group is:
Forwards: Duane Vermeulen, Tim Agaba, Muller Uys, Hanro Liebenberg, Jannes Kirsten, Thembelani Bholi, Carel du Preez, Roelof Smit, Nick de Jager, Ruan Steenkamp, Marco van Staden, Paul (Tier) Schoeman, Jano Venter, Jason Jenkins, Hendre Stassen, RG Snyman, Lood de Jager, Trevor Nyakane, Lizo Gqoboka, Matthys Basson, Nqoba Mxoli, Simphiwe Matanzima, Madot Mabokela, Conraad van Vuuren, Frans van Wyk, Dayan van der Westhuizen, Jaco Visagie, Edgar Marutlulle, Johan Grobbelaar.
Backs: Warrick Gelant, Divan Rossouw, Travis Ismaiel, Duncan Matthews, Cornal Hendricks, Jade Stighling, Rosko Specman, Jesse Kriel, Dylan Sage, Johnny Kotze, Stedman Gans, Burger Odendaal, JT Jackson, Franco Naude, Handré Pollard, Manie Libbok, Marnitz Boshoff, Ivan van Zyl, Embrose Papier, Andre Warner, Theo Maree.
As part of the BBCo’s future vision to keep bringing young talent through their ranks and exposing them to a senior level of rugby, the apprentices in the squad are: Gerhard Steenekamp, Cabous Eloff, Mornay Smit, Adre Smit, Marius Verwey, Ruan Nortje, Eli Snyman, JC Pretorius, Ryno Pieterse, Khwezi Mafu, Lian du Toit, Fiela Boshoff, Cameron Hufke, Jay-Cee Nel, Marnus Potgieter, Earll Douwrie.
https://www.facebook.com/BullsOfficial/videos/198030374449662/
For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord’s websites:
For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram.
