Defending Super 14 champions, the Bulls have been working hard on improving a weakpoint – their scrum.
Whilst the Bulls were superb in almost every department in 2009, their scrum (co-incidentally so too the Springbok scrum?) was an area they struggled in during both the Super 14 and Currie Cup.
A trait of true champions is the desire to self-reflect and desire to keep improving, no matter how good they might be. And that is where the Bulls greatest strength lies.
It is good to see Bulls coach Frans Ludeke working hard on improving the Bulls scrum, and unlike his predecessor Heyneke Meyer, work hard on defending the Super 14 title earned in 2009.
Ludeke had this to say “I think the importance of the scrum was shifted into the background, but that is definitely no longer the case. Fortunately we saw in November that the Bok scrum was under pressure and it was a timely wake-up before the World Cup next year. We are not blind to the problems we experienced at the Blue Bulls last year, but there’s no need to panic.”
“There will definitely be a lot of focus on the scrums, but we already started bringing in specialists like Balie Swart last year and this year will be no different. This facet of the game will be given all the importance that it deserves” said Ludeke
The Bulls have some exciting additions to this years Super 14 squad including the return of experienced hooker Gary Botha.
Fellow hooker Bandise Maku has experience with the Boks from the end of year tour, whilst ex-Cheetahs player Bees Roux gives extra stability at tighthead.
Also waiting in the wings at tighthead are Frik Kirsten, Dean Greyling and Rossouw de Klerk whilst the loosehead side will most likely be down to two experienced stalwarts in Jaco Engels and Gurthro Steenkamp.
If the Bulls can get a good scrum they will once again be tough to beat as they possess the best lineout in the world, and one of the deadliest sharpshooters in the game in Morne Steyn. With all the basics covered, there are very few weaknesses which a top side needs to have.
Great stuff – thanx for the heads up on who will be doing to scrumming this year! Go Bulle!
Hi Etienne,
Nothing is confirmed as yet but it looks as if Steenkamp will be first choice loosehead, Gary Botha at hooker and Werner Kruger at tighthead.
Let’s see when the Bulls play the Lions in their warm-up match.
It’s great to see the depth appearing at the Bulls and a major reason we won last year. The inside centre and centre combination still look a bit thin, but don’t be surprised to see de Wet Barry there.