Ndungane one of three who extend with Bulls

PRETORIA Super Rugby franchise Vodacom Blue Bulls have confirmed that three players, including Akona Ndungane, have extended their contracts for the 2015 Super Rugby season.

The three players Akona Ndungane, Werner Kruger and Duncan Matthews have extended their contracts and will be available to play for the Vodacom Blue Bulls.

Former Springbok winger Ndungane has extended his contract through to the end of the 2015 Super Rugby tournament, while prop Kruger who made his Springbok debut in 2011 has signed on until October 2016.

Outside back Duncan Matthews, who represented the South African u/20 side last year, will stay with the Pretoria franchise until at least in October 2016.

Blue Bulls Company high performance manager, Xander Janse van Rensburg, confirmed that the majority of the provisional Vodacom Blue Bulls squad for next year have signed on until the end of 2016.

“We had a long term plan with some of these younger players, which started in 2012 and it is great to see that they are now blossoming in our structures. Added to some new signings for next season, I think the 2015 Super Rugby season could be an exciting one for our supporters,” Janse van Rensburg said.

The provisional Vodacom Blue Bulls squad has six Springboks and another 12 players who played for the Springboks in the past. It is also packed with a number of junior Springboks and Springbok sevens players.

These new faces to the squad include Matthews, Jesse Kriel, Warrick Gelant, Jamba Ulengo, Dries Swanepoel, Dan Kriel, Burger Odendaal, Nardus van der Walt, Irne Herbst, Dayan van der Westhuizen, Arno van Wyk and Pierre Schoeman.

New signings Lappies Labuschagne, Trevor Nyakane and Adriaan Strauss, all from the Toyota Cheetahs are also in the group.

“I am very excited about this group. We have great depth in many crucial positions, so we should be covered when injury strikes. The influx of youth excites me as these players have wonderful skills, particularly on attack.”

“This will allow us a different approach in that department. A number of these youngsters has been exposed to senior rugby already and should hit the ground running in the Super Rugby competition. It was always part of the long term strategy for these youngsters to develop into Super Rugby players and I think we have managed that well,” Ludeke said.

“We have been working hard on a game plan and structure that will compliment the playing staff we have.”