It’s no real surprise that the turnaround in the Vodacom Bulls’ fortunes this season started when they managed to establish some continuity – and inject some experience – into their loose trio, with the unbalanced and inexperienced back row picked for the opening fixtures widely considered a contributing factor to those losses. It will this come as a huge blow to coach Frans Ludeke to have lost two of the most influential additions to his squad to what look like serious injuries.
Deon Stegmann has returned to South Africa after aggravating his suspect groin against the Hurricanes, with Dewald Potgieter witting alongside him on the plane after sustaining the dreaded “bicep tear” which has already curtailed the seasons of Pierre Spies and Pat Lambie in 2014. It’s a funny injury, that, since it’s not one we used to see or hear about very often. In 2014, it seems to be the meal of the day.
Stegmann, in particular, has been credited as one of the main architects of the Bulls’ regent resurgence and his loss will be keenly felt indeed, particularly given that Potgieter himself would be the most likely candidate to step in at 6. It now appears that Jono Ross will be asked to reprise the open-side role that he wore like a rather ill-fitting suit in the opening rounds. Jacques du Plessis should probably return to the starting line-up for Potgieter after playing off the bench in Napier.
The Bulls have summoned only one replacement, in the form of former Kings loose forward Wimpie van der Walt. Victor Matfield, as predicted, will shift onto the playing roster to fill the other gap, with Grant Hattingh’s role set to change from lock cover to loose forward option.
The Bulls play the Highlanders in their second tour match this weekend.
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Hard luck Bulls.
They need to wrap JLP and VM in cotton wool. They are now two injuries away from a crisis.
Come on Wimpie! Now is your time to shine boytjie!I would rather pick Wimpie at 6 with Ross at 8
Morning Rob. Where is that headline we have been waiting for???
“Johan Muller agrees to Sharks swansong”
@West Indies Cricket Board (Comment 4) : haha… well.
@West Indies Cricket Board (Comment 4) : @robdylan (Comment 5) : Funny (or sad) that my first thought this morning was that Muller will be confirmed as the Sharks lock backup/reinforcement….
Could it be (and I may be completely wrong) that the increase in bicep tears is due to players trying more and more to steal balls on the ground? You get over a player, holding in to him and some guy hits you really hard backwards, I can see that putting a lot of strain on biceps.
@Seth101 (Comment 7) : don’t think Spies and Lambie got injured by trying to steal balls ……………….. on the ground.
@JD (Comment 8) : Didn’t see either of their injury’s happen myself, but lambie does try steal a lot for a fly half either way 😛
Bulls are going through loose forwards like the Stormers went through fly halves last year, a new one every second game.
Sad news. These two really added spice to our game since getting back from Japan and injury, respectively. Dewald’s comment during the game about his injury was classic – good news and bad news – good news – he discovered he’s got a bicep. Bad news – it’s torn.
Glad van der Walt got the call up. Should keep Ross away from the match day team – if only from next week.
@Blue Centurion (Comment 11) : Bulls really got a problem with loose forward this year, not only did you guys lose a lot due to bad contracting and now seem as if you’re going to lose the rest through injuries.
@JD (Comment 12) : The one good thing I like about this is that when management realized they screwed up with the contracts, Wimpie vd Walt, Potgieter x2 and Matfield returned to cover their blemishes. Unfortunately injuries are taking their toll, but that’s perhaps the main challenge of this comp – how well do you cope with injuries.
I wonder Jacques Botes is available on loan… 😀
@Blue Centurion (Comment 13) : If you’re looking for an out & out fetcher, you’ll want Francious Kleinhans…he’s not great at much else, but stealing ball on the ground he is second to none….just get past the Sharks management.