It’s still early days still but the indications are that the Bulls are a notch above all their opponents in this years under-19 national championship. A convincing 9-try, 61 points drubbing of the Leopards in game 1 of the season didn’t say too much on it’s own at the time but when the Leopards went down to the Cape and beat the unsettled defending champions Province albeit with entirely new personal off course, sudden the Bulls victory took on new meaning.
A healthy competition looks to be in the making amongst the other 6 unions. Adding flavour to his year’s campaign is that the newly promoted Border team are far more competitive than some of their predecessors who have come and gone over the years. It’s an excellent achievement by Border who took over the Zululand Rugby Academy a few years back.
As for the Bulls, well the question about whether it’s in SA rugby’s long term best interests for one rugby union to be contracting the cream of the crop, some of whom will not be afforded game time, is likely to become a discussion point at some stage again. For now they are looking like hot property with go-to players in just about every position on the park. It’s coach Paul Anthony’s last season in charge of the Bulls under-19’s. He joins the Sharks at the end of the season and might find himself in a “no excuses” position if he does not end his career in Pretoria with long overdue silverware.
| GAME | DATE | HOME | AWAY | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 12-07-13 | Leopards | 14 | 61 | Blue Bulls |
| 2 | 13-07-13 | Border | 24 | 32 | Sharks |
| 3 | 13-07-13 | Free State | 18 | 18 | Western Province |
| 4 | 19-07-13 | Sharks | 13 | 21 | Lions |
| 5 | 20-07-13 | Border | 13 | 29 | Free State |
| 6 | 20-07-13 | Western Province | 27 | 28 | Leopards |
Bulls team that scored 9 tries against the Leopards
| # | NAME | SCHOOL |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pierre Schoeman | Affies |
| 2 | Cornelius Els | Grey College |
| 3 | Wilco Louw | Drostdy |
| 4 | Bobby De Wee | Southdowns |
| 5 | Nicolaas Janse van Rensburg | Affies |
| 6 | Heinrich Viljoen | Affies |
| 7 | Corne Cooper | Paarl Gim |
| 8 | Carel Swart | Glenwood |
| 9 | Juan-Phillip Smith | Queens |
| 10 | Kobus Marais | Waterkloof |
| 11 | Duncan Matthews | Swartland |
| 12 | Leighton van Wyk | SACS |
| 13 | Daniel Kriel | Maritzburg College |
| 14 | Keagon Gordon | Boland Landbou |
| 15 | Jesse Kriel (c.) | Maritzburg College |
| 16 | Arno van Wyk | Boland Landbou |
| 17 | Dayan van der Westhuizen | Centurion |
| 18 | Justin Basson | Boland Landbou |
| 19 | Ngwako Ralepelle | Pretoria BH |
| 20 | Jacobus Wolmarans | Middelburg |
| 21 | Ganfried May | Oudtshoorn |
| 22 | Marcus Kleinbooi | Affies |
| 23 | Petrus Strauss | Oakdale |
@Woltrui: Wollie, is die storie oor Chiliboy en John Smit se verbintenis waar? Hoor nou die dag sy ma werk by John se ouers of so iets. Dieselfde skole. Weet jy dalk, mens hoor so baie stories.
@Woltrui: Hoop werklik unies begin weer lojaal raak, want werklikwaar ek sien nie groot verskille tussen die gewerfde spelers en die wat in Pta op skool was nie.
@Koos Roos: Chilliboy se jonger broertjie. Goeie spelertjie. Was laasjaar n 6 in PBHS. Vermoed hy is ook geskuif na 2. Was bietjie kort.
@Djou: Djou die Bulle is bekend daarvoor dat hul onlojaal is teen plaaslike skoolspelers. Ek praat onder korreksie tov die tyd. In 2009?? het Affies Paul Roos redelik gemaklik gewen. Die volgende jaar is meer Paul Roos spelers as Affies spelers vir die Bulle gekontrakteer!! Xander is natuurlik ‘n ex klofie en die jare was daar nog so ‘n gevoelentjie tussen die 2 skole. Ek moet darem ook meld dat die BB die meeste van laasjaar se suksesvolle CW span (buiten 4 van die beste) gekontrakteer het. Van die 4 wat hul deur hul vingers laat glip het was egter juis te wyte aan die dislojaliteit wat deur die jare aan plaaslike kinders getoon was. Hopelik is hulle besig om hul sienswyse van Pretoria se rugby spelende laaities te verander.
Tov die suksesvolle 0/19 span. Baie geluk. Blou Bul ondersteuners wil egter sien dat, ten minste, die Curriebeker gewen word. Help nie ons spandeer geld aan die 0/19’s en die sterre raak verlore nie. Die Curriebeker het 5 jaar?? laas in Pretoria gestaan. Nie goed genoeg nie.
Nog ‘n Ralepelle?
@Muzi: yes, I know you were joking. It will be sad if Piet van Zyl leaves for WP or the Bulls, but other scrumhalves are waiting on the fringes. Pieter Rademan (also ex Grey) is very good and can easily take over from Piet, should he leave. Sarel is still there, whilst others abroad are waiting for Piet’s decision.
I assume Ruwellyn Isbell has a contract with SARU as a 7’s player??
Haven’t seen any sign of Seabelo Senatla, Justin Geduld, Tshotsho Mbovane or Craig Barry yet either.
@beet:
SA Rugby website has Abrie Griesel down as a Bulls player still?
I know there is another Griesel playing scrumhalf for the Cheetahs though? No confusion?
Small-Smith just needs to stop getting injured. Will be interesting to see who out of him and Dries Swanepoel gets chosen for the CC side this season. I’d imagine it will be Dries.
@Muzi: Maybe we must force the players to play u/19, u/21 and even u/23 before you are allowed to play senior rugby.
@Muzi: Released? Is he out on parole? Maybe you must state he was set free by the Bulls.
@BOG:
Rohan has been used as a battering ram 
…I fear he may break down soon remember he had issues with his knee at kloffies.
@vatikaki:Isbell & Griesel got cut by the Bulls along with numerous other juniors a while back. Griesel with the Cheetahs. Last I heard was a move linking Willa Small-Smith with the Sharks. Not sure how true it is tho.
@BOG: What will a good game be without blood Bog. But agree, the Bulls and the other unions for that matter too, only interest is the boardroom. The more success you have on the pitch the longer your life in the boardroom.
The unfortunate is that any solution thought of will be nullified by the effect of money.
@vatikaki:
………we don’t need Beerwinkel..Neethling and Forwood much beter players.
Ruwellyn was released
@Ludz:
I wouldn’t mind Shaun, SP ,Sergeal and Engelbrecht…the greek would be a good signing for the currie cup.
@Muzi: I honestly find it difficult to see how young backs can sign for the BBs. JS is being used as a battering ram and that is high risk , especially for such a young player. If the BBs want battering rams, they should sign some old toppies like Stefan Terblanche,Meyer Bosman or Jde Villiers. All three in fact- as one is carried off with broken limbs, the next one can go on. Lets make rugby exciting like the Roman games and see some blood
@Ploegskaar: he was quality there as well, if he is the guy who was starting no.9 who played the 1 game with Innocent Radebe. He had a good GK
@Muzi: it’ll be better for your Bulls if my Kings lose hey, you’ll be able to get all of our talent a lot easier if we fail. PE won’t be easy tomorrow though, wish the Lions all the best though.
I have to agree with you on Bart Schoeman doing some good in the structures, been following him closely, he’s really doing a great job.
@Muzi:
Some good U-21 players that come to mind who haven’t seen any game time for the BB U21’s yet:
Props: Andrew Beerwinkel, Du Toit Genis & Jan Enslin
Hookers: Theuns Reynolds….. and Ruan Steenkamp (making the shift that he has to?)
Locks: Marvin Orie (although he is injured)
Loosies: Nardus van der Walt, Cloete Wessels, Victor Hechter & Leneve Damens
Scrumhalves: Carlo Engelbrecht & Abrie Griesel
Flyhalves: Francois Tredoux & Clinton Swart
Centres: Burger Odendaal & William Small-Smith (who is injured)
Wingers: Ruwellyn Isbell & Richard-Dean Gorrah
Could definitely give them a second U21 side to compete in the Lower Division.
@Muzi: On the subject, I see the Lions have signed Johan Esterhuizen for next year. He had a solid CW for the Lions from what I saw this year and definitely has pedigree having played for the Lions at u13 and u16 level. Think he was one of the standouts at GK-week in Queens if memory serves me right.
My wish is for the Bulls do draw up some draft system for the fringe players at loftus to get some game time at other smaller unions like limpopo bulls,valke and griffons,….it’s wishful thinking I know!
@Djou:
Glad Cheetahs are finally sorting their house in order…..now you guys just need to hang on Piet Van Zyl my beloved Bulletjies have made him a very good offer.
@BOG:
Very very disappointed the way Serfontein has been used just because he’s a strong young lad the Bulls just seem to have a habit of using him as a crash ball player every set play.
At this rate he’ll have bandages and strapping tape rapped all around his body.
See, the Cheetahs now also recruiting “grandpa’s” with Tonderai Chavanga, at the healthy age of 29, returning from Wales to cover for their wing shortage. Ebersohn will be a big loss, but with Wiaan du Preez back from Ireland to cover at front row, Lindeque back, Goosen almost back, Venter on his way and a number of others to be announced, the Cheetahs should have a decent Super 15 next year, as well.
@Djou:
Read my comment to beet concerning Venter I only said he’s slow because I was gatvol when I heard he’s leaving…..like I said it’s just sour grapes nothing at all sir.
@beet:
….coach Bart is sorting out the gemors in their structures….disappointed Valke couldn’t use Sampie Hearne a bit more on attack at times it felt like he looked out of place…..great signing for the Jozi boytjies.
Stokkies is growing on me it’s no secret I really want the lions to beat the EP Queens
Do you think Tyler Fisher can make the step up…not sure about Williams…..
@Muzi: I wont lie either. I wud loved to have seen Venter and even Stokkies Hanekom signing for the Sharks. But I`m happy that players are seeing the FS as a destination to prove their worth dather than heading straight overseas.
Im looking forward to seeing Stokkies in action for the Lions on Friday. I have not seen the Lions team but I hope he starts.
@Tjoppa: Jammer jy is reg, ek het myself bietjie verkeerd uitgedruk oor die geldstorie. Ek wonder egter steeds waarom die Bulle so min Bulskolespelers gekontrakteer het. Is die nuwe gekontrakteerders werklik soveel beter – en ek praat nou nie net van die huidige nie, maar oor 2-3 jaar van nou af wanneer almal redelik klaar gegroei het.
@Muzi, Francois Venter is fast enough. Nowadays, with so much less space available, you don’t need a 40m sprint of 4-5 seconds when playing centre. Ebersohn has lots of pace, but how many times was he able to use it? Mostly the wings are in position to use their pace. I can recall watching Venter and Lindeque when they were in Grey and with little space they caused chaos – as the defenders did not know what to expect next. The point being that unions should utilise the talents of players and not, because of a specific game plan, force them into becoming something else, where their talents are not utilised.
@Muzi: Dont fear- you will see both Venter and Lindeque blossom at the Cheetahs- home of real rugby!
@Grasshopper:
I hope the Bulls give these KZN lads a fair chance that’s all I’m asking for……what happened to Moolman and Taylor leaves a lot to be desired.
@beet:
…I’m harsh on Venter but can you blame me though the Bulls keep on losing young promising players. :(…this exodus is hard to take.
It’s just sour grapes
@BOG:
!!!!….I’ve never rated JJ Engelbrecht as an outside centre without a doubt he has some gas unfortunately I think he lacks vision I have a feeling the Argies, All Blacks and Aussies will expose his dodgy defence in the 4 nations tournament.
Morning Oom Bog i guess your right about Francois Venter and Piet Lindeque let’s hope they can kick start their promising partnership at the cheetahs.
This is what makes me mad
Bulls need to give Swanepoel,Daniel Kriel and Small Smith a chance in senior rugby in 2014…..
To be honest with you I have no idea what will happen to Burger Odendaal and Christopher Bosch….
@Grasshopper: He is still there but battling between studying and practices. Something has to give unfortunately as he is the only one still studying a proper degree in the squad. Coaches start getting irritated and lecturers start giving 0. A law degree is difficult on its own.
@Muzi: I disagree – Being back in the FS, will bring the best out of them. You should tell your 13, that he should get himself bigger shorts- at least 3 sizes bigger, otherwise he is going to develop a hernia in an area where he least wants one.@beet: I agree with you on Venter being a 13
@Muzi: yep, I fear Shaun will end up a hooker though due to lack of height, unless he becomes a Brussouw type fetcher. Carel is a running 8 like a Kankowski….good luck to the young man, seems he is in the right hands. Good to see both Kriels there too
@Muzi: I really like Frans Venter but feel he should be an outside centre just like I always believed that Robert Ebersohn would do better at 12 during all those seasons he played 13. It’s interesting to hear your views that Venter is a bit short on pace. Do you have any stats to share like his 40m time?
@Grasshopper:
2012 was not a very good year for young Carel…..Bulls will sort him out though look how Shaun made the step up to the baby boks squad.
@Muzi: yep, Carel is an athlete and could be like Pierre Spies, but better. Hopefully he continues to improve and gets a look in for SA under 20 next year. I thought he would have been up against Malcolm Marx last year for SA schools but he had a bad year last year….
@BOG:
……worry about your own centres at bloem…the tank Rohan will rattle a few feathers for such a big lad he has pace and x-factor something Venter lacks. 
Disagree Oom Bog…….Venter made Lindeque look good
@Grasshopper:
at the moment Corne Cooper is the first choice Number 8…..Bulls rate Carel very highly..
Reegan Smith will get his chance
Good to see Carel Swart in the mix and doing well after his mediocre season in 2012. What happened to the Maritzburg College No 8 and captain who went up to the Bulls?
@Muzi: Well, then it were both of them. I know that Lindeque attended and was “highly regarded”, if not deemed the best. Van Rensburg is too big for such a young backline player and its going to catch up with him soon, mark my words- as indeed with Mabuza
@Tjoppa:
Round 1 goes to you
@Muzi: Or maybe he does not have answers or maybe he does not care to answer or maybe… One thing I am sure of is that my bottles of red are save.
@Tjoppa:
Gone into hiding Oom Tjoppa i guess the spokesman couldn’t take the heat.
It’s for the good of SA rugby that Venter goes back home….Bulls will just promote young Rohan Janse van Rensburg.
Francois is talented he has an eye for a gap IMHO he struggled in super rugby due to his lack of pace.
Robert Erbershon is a massive loss for Frees State rugby he has been outstanding for the past few years…Venter is not even close to this guy in terms of class.
@Muzi: Where is though spokesman Muzi?
@BOG:
It was Venter who was named as the best under 16 backline player in Mexted’s NZ academy…..
@Djou: Ek moet tog die “geldprobleme” kwessie aanspreek. Nooit gese hul is in ‘n finansiele penarie nie het egter wel gese hul begroting vir spelers is beperk en om die nuwe generasie starre te kan bekostig mos ‘n groot gros huidge sterre verkoop word. Ek glo ook dit was die rede vir die besluit om vir die MEESTE junior spelers slegs ‘n jaar kontrak aan te bied en nie die gebruiklike twee jaar nie.
@Djou: Was dit Francois Venter wie so hoog aangeskryf was deur Mexted of was dit Piet Lindeque? Maak nie eintlik saak nie,maar ek verneem lg is ook terug in die VS. En as die Kings dit nie maak teen die Lions nie, hoop ek Andries Strauss vind ook sy pad terug na Bloem. Ek rate hom. Hy is nie n skouperd nie, maar is baie waardevol. Sal vir VS goeie diepte (en hooplik lojaliteit) in daardie posisie gee.
@Woltrui: Sien die Bulle se seniors verloor nou ook vir Francois Venter na die Cheetahs toe. Lyk my Tjoppa was reg, groot geldprobleme en moet baie spelers laat gaan. Aan die ander kant, met Robert Ebersohn weg, gaan Venter meer speelkans kry. Dit is nou dieselfde Francois Venter wat deur Murray Mexted se rugbyskool as die beste senter geag is wat ooit deur sy rugbyskool is. En sommer as skoolseun kontrakte aangebied is deur amper elke Nieu-Seelandse “franchise”. Maar by die Bulle is hy net goed genoeg as reserwe. Wys iets van die tipe bril waardeur gekyk word.
@Valke: Maar is dit nie dieselfde Bullespan wat die Wp so vermorsel het in die Cravenweek-eindstryd nie. Kan nie glo die Bulle laat hulle gaan nie? Is die gras werklik soveel groener by ander skole as in Pretoria dat elders gewerf word – spesifiek as jy so ‘n goeie span op jou voorstoep het. So, moet die Bulle almal eers 100-0 by die Cravenweek wen voor die Bulle se werwers eerder na Pretoriaseuns kyk?
@Woltrui: In die kol, maar ek is bly dat die Bulle nie die Affies wil he nie, want nou kan VS baat.
Maar wat ook interessant is, is dat die no. 11 deur die Bulle in Kloof geplaas is (wat blykbaar nie meer werf, of Bulle se plasings aanvaar nie
). Kom ons vergeet maar vir eers waarom, maar hy is terug Kaap toe hoewel hy skitterend gespeel het. Opgeraap deur ‘n top skool in die Kaap maar na sy besering deur dieselfde skool weggegooi – en hy is terug na sy oorsproklike skool toe.
@valke: Valke stem heelhartig saam met jou. Potensiaal gewys is daar ‘n aantal kinders van Pretoria (Blou Bul kindertjies) wie die span, in my opinie, sou versterk of dieselfde waarde sou toevoeg. Eksteen(WP), Meiring(WP), Lee(VS) en Venter(VS) van Affies. Ek kan nie na die genoemde kinders kyk sonder ‘n pyn te kry waar ek nie een wil he nie. Die kinders hoort in die blou trui.
Van die os op die jas, wat het van die groot vasskop stut geword wat laasjaar vir die BB by die Craven Week gespeel het? Het van Ben Vorster in Tzaneen gekom. In Garsies gematrikuleer. Weet hy was deur die Bulle gekontrakteer.
Net 7 uit 23 spelers uit die Blou Bul skole het dit gemaak tot in die o/19 span. Hiervan is 4 uit Affies.
Dalk moet iemand dit vir al die Valke spelers wys wat so op strepe Garsfontein toe hardloop met hulle “huge” Blou Bul kontrakte.