It was Heyneke Meyer who at the time used the famous phrase “perceptions rule the world” to shoot down misconceptions about his Bulls team from 20 years ago.

One would not be able to blame Jake White if he wanted to use those words himself about some of his critics these days.

White is frequently accused by his critics of not developing young talent and of chasing short-term success by recruiting “old men” and “has-beens” to play for the Bulls. However, the touring squad he has selected for the Bulls’ crucial two-week tour of Europe to take on Ulster in Ireland and Toulouse in France, will be a bit of cold water in the face for these critics.

The inclusion of youngsters such as Merwe Olivier (lock/loose forward), Tiaan Lange (hooker) and Niel Le Roux (scrum-half) further reduces the average age of the already young team. It is actually particularly ironic that only three players in the 28-man tour group are older than 30. This includes two 38-year-old Springbok veterans, Bismark du Plessis and Morné Steyn.

The other “old man” is the Springbok winger, Cornal Hendricks (34), who at his age regularly shows on the field that he still has enough speed to beat much younger men. He has also proven that he has the skills to wear any jersey from 12 to 14.

So, for all the smug “rugby pundits” around the braai-fires and the “keyboard warriors” who want to simplify the Bulls’ problems to “Jake’s buying of has-beens”, here are the facts. The average age of the squad selected to go on the Bulls’ all-important tour to Europe, where they will be chasing at least two league points against Ulster and fighting for survival in the European Rugby Champions Cup (better known as the Heineken Champions Cup), is 25.7 years.

The team includes four players – including a Springbok – who can still play under-21 rugby.

This team will first take on Ulster in round 16 of the United Rugby Championship at the Kingspan Stadium in Belfast. Kick-off for that clash is set for 21:35 South African time.

The following week, the boys from Loftus will travel to France to take on Stade Toulousain in round 16 of the 2022/23 Heineken Champions Cup. The knock-out clash at Le Stadium in Toulouse is set to kick off at 16:00 South African time.

Speaking on the composition of the travelling party, White remarked: “We are playing in multiple competitions and so it becomes important for us to balance our sides. Both the team travelling and the one remaining to focus on the Currie Cup campaign – we believe – has the best possible chance at getting the results we want.”

He pointed out that they left behind some experienced players like Lizo Gqoboka, Jacques du Plessis, Mihlali Mosi and Sbu Nkosi, who need more game time but also have the wisdom to help the youngsters when they travel to Bloemfontein.

“This is important because we want to do well in that competition as much as it is our ambition to do well in Europe,” White concluded.

The Bulls touring squad with each player’s age indicated:

Forwards: 1. Bismarck Du Plessis (38), 2. Cyle Brink (29), 3. Dylan Smith (29), 4. Elrigh Louw (23), 5. Francois Klopper (23), 6. Gerard Steenekamp (25), 7. Janko Swanepoel (23), 8. Johann Grobbelaar (25), 9. Marco van Staden (27), 10. Merwe Olivier (20), 11. Mornay Smith (25), 12. Ruan Nortje (24, captain), 13. Ruan Vermaak (24), 14. Simphiwe Matanzima (25), 15. Tiaan Lange (20), 16. WJ Steenkamp (22).

Backs: 1. Canan Moodie (20), 2. Chris Smith (28), 3. Cornal Hendricks (34), 4. David Kriel (24), 5. Embrose Papier (25), 6. Harold Vorster (29), 7. Kurt-Lee Arendse (26), 8. Morné Steyn (38), 9. Niel Le Roux (19), 10. Sibongile Novuka (25), 11. Stedman Gans (26), 12. Zak Burger (24).

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