Uncapped number 8 Jono Ross will lead the Blue Bulls against Western Province in their Newlands Currie cup opener; he will be joined in the back row by a pair of flanks with no caps between them either.
Ross is one of five Currie Cup debutants in the team; left wing Travis Ismaiel, flyhalf Tony Jantjies and flanks Wiaan Liebenberg and Jacques du Plessis have all yet to pull on the famous light blue jersey festooned with the Barbeton daisy. 85-capper Willie Wepener stick out like a sore thumbs in this team, as he’s named to start at hooker. Next best are Frik Kirsten (25), Francois Venter (22) and Jurgen Visser (also 22).
Wylon Murray has been included on the bench but there is strangely no sign of Super Rugby props Dean Geryling and Werner Kruger.
Blue Bulls (caps in brackets):
15. Jürgen Visser (22)
14. Sampie Mastriet (2)
13. Ulrich Beyers (5)
12. Francois Venter (22)
11. Travis Ismaiel*(0)
10. Tony Jantjies*(0)
9. Rudy Paige (4)
8. Jono Ross*(0, capt)
7. Jacques du Plessis*(0)
6. Wiaan Liebenberg*(0)
5. Grant Hattingh (8)
4. Paul Willemse (1)
3. Frik Kirsten (25)
2. Willie Wepener (85)
1. Morné Mellet (5)
Replacements:
16. Callie Visagie (18)
17. Marcell van der Merwe (25)
18. Wilhelm Steenkamp (85)
19. Jean Cook (3)
20. Ruan Snyman (19)
21. Waylon Murray (71)
22. Clayton Blommetjies (5).
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Who is Jono Ross? Thought Jean Cook would take it the captaincy. Didn’t he captain Tuks (also known as the reserve Bulls)?
Tony Jantjies
Come Oooon Province!
” As die Suid Oos Windjie waai . . . “
@ChrisS (Comment 1) : Ross played a bit of Super Rugby for them this season…. and he ALSO captained Tuks (seems Tuks has had a lot of captains)
Where’s Shaun ardendorff-IMO better than liebenberg
@Bok-Clyde-Kiwi (Comment 4) : Bok 7s? Not?
Says a lot about a player if he has 85 caps and sits on the bench, while 1 and 8 capped players start the match
Very keen to see Jantjies perform..
I actually rate him quite a bit!
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 7) : Wait, you don`t mean they actually have a chance? 😕
@ChrisS (Comment 1) : Ross is ahead of Jean Cook in the Bulls hierarchy of loose forwards. Big ball carrier with good leadership qualities.
Ross ,24 I think ,so not young. Big ,strong and fast. Went to St Stithians in JHB.
I like the use of youth in this side – only 3 above 25 if not mistaken.
Experience to be gained this year, but I don’t think it will win you any cups.
I will sitback and watch my team – but this kick and chase crap…If that is going to be the plan with these youngsters, then I don’t mind seeing 50 points put past them every game, until they change it.
Hell, at least try it, it won’t hurt.
@steve (Comment 9) : @Bok-Clyde-Kiwi (Comment 4) : What is the Bulls hierarchy in terms of loosies and where is Ardendorff?
@ChrisS (Comment 12) : Behind Liebenberg. Played from the bench last week in the u/21 comp.
Good Bulls side, would have preferred to have seen Dries Swanepoel at 13, Buyers is good but Dries is better.
Would have made more sense to play the bigger and more physical Jacques du Plessis at 5 and played Hattingh at 7.
The average Wepner ahead of Callie Visagie is madness