All-action Free State Cheetahs flank Heinrich Brüssow and Blue Bulls head coach Frans Ludeke were the big winners at the conclusion of an exciting month of Absa Currie Cup rugby in July.
Rugby 365 reports that Brüssow, who has been in excellent form for the Cheetahs this season, and Ludeke – who has bounced back from a tough Super 14 campaign with the Bulls – this week walked off with the first-ever Absa Currie Cup Player and Coach of the Month Awards, respectively.
The duo were each rewarded with ZAR10,000 in prize money for their efforts in July, while they were also presented with exclusive miniature replicas of the Currie Cup trophy.
The Coach of the Month title is voted for by a five-man panel of leading rugby writers and commentators, while all eight coaches in the Currie Cup nominate their Player of the Month. Coaches may not nominate players from their own province.
Former Grey College student Brüssow edged out Free State Cheetahs teammate Adriaan Strauss, Falcons duo Len Olivier and Sean Plaatjies, Deon Fourie (WP), Wynand Olivier (Blue Bulls) and veteran Sharks ace Stefan Terblanche in a wide open race.
“It’s a great honour and something I’m very grateful for,” Brüssow said. “Obviously my priority is with the Free State Cheetahs, but it’s nice to know that the other coaches around the country have noticed me too!”
Brüssow’s performances have been hard to miss this season. And the 22-year-old – who has played as a ‘fetcher’ since his Standard Eight (Grade 10) days – has been a key factor in the defending champion Cheetahs’ push to the top of the log after six rounds of action.
Unfortunately a foot injury – suffered against the Falcons at the weekend – will keep him out of action for four to six weeks, but the tearaway former SA Schools and SA Sevens representative is already plotting his comeback.
“Fortunately the Cheetahs have a few byes coming up over the next weeks, so I could be in line for a comeback in our return [home] matches against Western Province and the Bulls in September,” said Brüssow, who hurt the front ligaments of his foot and damaged a small bone in the process.
Blue Bulls coach Frans Ludeke, meanwhile, guided his Pretoria-based team into second place on the Currie Cup standings after six rounds of action.
Under Ludeke’s stewardship, the Bulls have lost just one match in the Currie Cup; scoring 16 tries and conceding just seven in the process, and making Ludeke a popular choice as July’s Coach of the Month.
The Bulls coach just edged out the challenge of Falcons coach Rudy Joubert, who earned two votes to Ludeke’s three.
“It’s a great honour to be recognised by the panel,” said Ludeke. “But one cannot achieve anything as a coach without a committed team. I would like to thank my players for this award.”
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Cool of ABSA to do this.
Please tell us who the “five-man panel of leading rugby writers and commentators” is?
I see “old” Stefan was on the shortlist! And after all the flack he had taken on this blogg?? 😯
@Silver Fox (Comment 2) : That is a joke of the century. What were they thinking ?
I think they remember last year’s performances.
@Silver Fox (Comment 2) :
That’s why I am keen to see who the panel of five is.
I wonder if JJ Harmse is on that panel. 🙄
Brüssow edged out Free State Cheetahs teammate Adriaan Strauss, Falcons duo Len Olivier and Sean Plaatjies, Deon Fourie (WP), Wynand Olivier (Blue Bulls) and veteran Sharks ace Stefan Terblanche in a wide open race.
So with only 8 coaches voting for the player, they must be pretty glad two of them voted for the same player 😆 with the voting as follows
2 x Brüssow
1 x Adriaan Strauss
1 x Len Olivier
1 x Sean Plaatjies
1 x Deon Fourie
1 x Wynand Olivier
1 x Stefan Terblanche.
EQUALS
8 x Votes.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 4) :
It actually seems that the commentators are not choosing the player.
Here we go
The media panel is made up of senior Rapport journalist JJ Harmse, Owen Nkumane (SuperSport analyst and commentator), David O’Sullivan (Rugga Zone host), Mtutuzeli Scott (SABC radio commentator) and Clinton van der Berg (Sunday Times sports editor). – Sapa
Oh my word! 😯
@wpw (Comment 9) :
yeah I would hardly call that “leading”
I’m surprised Rob Otto isn’t on that list. 🙄
(wpw ‘brown nosing’ after last night’s indiscretion) 😕
@KSA Shark © (Comment 8) : I rate two of them as reasonably competent
@wpw (Comment 11) : Thought your nose was naturally brown… 🙂
Which two would that be Rob?
JJ Harmse… 👿 🙄 👿
I suppose coming up with that list would not have been an easy task.
Stephen Nell? Would vote for Rassie every time
Mike Greenaway? Would vote for Plumtree everytime
Gavin Rich? rassie everytime?
etc.
But I would have thought Dan Retief, Jan De koning (maybe WP), Naas Botha would be there.
The way that panel looks at the moment it means JJ Harmse will spend every month hoping someone else also votes for Ludeke 😉
@wpw (Comment 14) : Sorry, only one. David O’sullivan
@blackshark (Comment 3) :
Well all coaches vote for the players and no coach for a player from his own province…
So the other provinces clearly rate him…
@Hmmm (Comment 18) :
See my comment on the voting (#6) Only ONE province rates him.
BUT just to clarify I ALSO rate him.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 19) :
Kool I see…
Who do you coach?
KSA
JJ Harmse would still vote for Heyneke and Liefling… 🙄
@Hmmm (Comment 20) :
I coach, or should that be couch, the TV. 😛
Both Brussow and Ludeke fully deserve it.
Congratulations!
I hope Ludeke shares his award with Slaptjips who is obviously having an effect on the backline.
@robdylan (Comment 17) :
Who is David O’Sullivan – is it maybe the very sharp newsman from 702 who I just happen to be listening right now.
@Salmonoid (Comment 24) :
Please Salmonoid who is “Slaptijps”?
@H.O. (Comment 26) : Pieter Rousouw…
@H.O. (Comment 26) :
Hi H.O.
It is Pieter Roussouw, ex Province and Springbok wing who is now the backline coach of the Bulls.
@bryce_in_oz (Comment 27) :
@Salmonoid (Comment 28) :
thanks all
I know who is Pieter Rossouw: one of the greatest players ever to don the Streeptruie jersey……
I just did not know his nickname.
And I don’t like he is with Blou Bulle. Hope he will be back to Kaapstad very soon with the Goats
@Salmonoid (Comment 25) : Correct. He knows the game surprisingly well
@KSA Shark © (Comment 22) :
LoL
@H.O. (Comment 29) :
Slaptjips translates into English as french fries or chips BTW
I am running in the Nike Million man race next month. I am quite sacred
@robdylan (Comment 33) :
“I am running in the Nike Million man race next month. I am quite sacred”
Been blessed and doused in holy water have you?
OUCH!!!!!!!!!
Hard-hitting Blue Bulls and Springbok flank Hilton Lobberts will be on the sidelines for at least six weeks after he broke his jaw on Monday at Loftus Versfeld.
Team doctor Org Strauss confirmed on Wednesday that Lobberts broke his jaw in two places and that he had to go for an operation to repair the damage.
Coach Frans Ludeke said that Lobberts injured himself during a contact session on Monday when his head and that of another player collided in a ruck.
“It was a freak accident and I really feel sorry for Hilton because he put in the hard yards to regain his best form, but such is life,” Ludeke told the official Bulls website.
“He needs to work through this setback and come back as a stronger person.”
Other news from Dr Strauss is that Derick Kuün will in all probability be fit to play against the Falcons after he picked up a hamstring niggle earlier the week.
“The captain’s practice on Thursday will be Derick’s fitness test, but at this stage I think he will be fine to face the Falcons.”
@KSA Shark © (Comment 32) :
Dankie KSA Shark, very useful as usual 🙂
@robdylan (Comment 30) :
Never knew he was a rugby journalist. He is obviously very knowledgeable and passionate about rugby and cricket and it comes through in his interviews and assessments.