Bulls coach Frans Ludeke, on Wednesday announced a quite predictable team for Saturday’s first-round Super 14 match against the Reds at Loftus Versfeld, with the inclusion of Springbok centre Jaco Pretorius, World Cup scrumhalf Fourie du Preez and young flank Dewald Potgieter as the most noteworthy selections .
SAPA reports that this will be Pretorius’ debut match for the Bulls. The former Springbok Sevens captain missed all three the warm-up outings since joining them from the Lions. Pretorius will partner World Cup Springbok Wynand Olivier in midfield in a combination much is expected of. Bulls veteran centre JP Nel, just back from Japan, is on the bench.
Du Preez injured his right hand that kept him from the field for a large part of the 2008 season in the warm-up against the Cheetahs in Polokwane two weeks ago, and was expected to be off the field for a few weeks. Heini Adams, who was also plagued by injury last year, is on the bench.
Potgieter, who was outstanding when he had opportunity last year, gets the nod ahead of veteran Pedrie Wannenburg and will take over the place of Wikus van Heerden, who is now with Saracens, while Werner Kruger as expected tol start at tighthead in the absence of Rayno Gerber who has a groin strain.
Ludeke said Saturday’s match against the Reds is of the utmost importance. “We have to start off well, and we will not take any team lightly.”
The team is: Zane Kirchner; Bryan Habana, Jaco Pretorius, Wynand Olivier, Akona Ndungane; Morne Steyn, Fourie du Preez; Pierre Spies, Dewald Potgieter, Deon Stegmann, Victor Matfield, Bakkies Botha, Werner Kruger, Derick Kun, Gurthro Steenkamp.
Replacements: Chiliboy Ralepelle, Frik Kirsten, Danie Rossouw, Pedrie Wannenburg, JP Nel, Burton Francis, Heini Adams.
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Is Pretorius gonna be the next Jean Deysel from the Lions?
Not too shabby… 😐
that’s a strong team
makes LMS picks quite easy for this week.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 4) : I have already picked my last-favourite team to win this one
Nou die Blou!
No we just need the crusaders and Hurricanes to name their teams so that I can finish playing with my Fantasy league team.
@robdylan (Comment 5) :
@McLovin (Comment 6) :
I can’t believe you two will be hoping for a Bulls win this week. 😆
Good team…with a bit of good coaching they could be a real threat
@Pokkel (Comment 9) :
I look at that team and can’t understand how they are being written off in some sections of the media.
@Pokkel (Comment 9) : That’s what they appear to be lacking, a coach. 👿
Kirsten is only 20 years old. It is going to be a tough initiation for him as well.
@robdylan (Comment 5) : I have got rid of the Lions for this week! 😉
@KSA Shark © (Comment 12) : he’s meant to be really talented…
@KSA Shark © (Comment 10) : The answer is Frans.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 1) :
Are you actually comparing this “1 min every other game hit wonder” to Jean Deysel!??!??!??!
I think their loosies are going to be a lil pedestrian!!!
They have pace as in sprint…but they just don’t cover the park as well…
The Reds did not do too badly against the Tahs in their warm-up…but I think the Bulls could run away with this one if they play it right…
Was conserv though with a 13 to Bulls pick on SuBru…
Although Olivier and JP can be create line breakers in the middle…they can both also be very pedestrian…let’s hope for the Bulls sake there are more consistent this season…