Planet Rugby Forum

Cape Town – Primarily a mentoring presence … or back to more traditional status as a points machine?

That will be the intriguing question among Bulls devotees as Morne Steyn now actively re-joins the Loftus fold for the first time in some seven years – he wrapped up his 2013-and-onward obligations with Stade Francais on Saturday.

Steyn, 35, was a substitute in the 25-9 loss to Paris derby rivals Racing 92 at the weekend, as Argentinean star Nicolas Sanchez, four years his junior, started at flyhalf for the currently struggling club.

It raises the possibility that Steyn will have a similar role during Super Rugby 2020, which begins for the Bulls with a fixture against compatriots the Sharks in Durban on January 31.

Whatever his status within the matchday 23 by then, the first opportunity the Pretoria near-cult figure will have to sample the Loftus match-day vibe again will be when they play, in round four, the Blues there on February 22.

Steyn’s last match in the competition in Pretoria had come in now distant July 2013, the 26-23 home semi-final reverse to the Brumbies – his typically meaty 18 points off the kicking tee weren’t quite enough to see the hosts progress to the showpiece.

The veteran will return to a vastly different Bulls environment … in a sign of, among other factors, how crippling the exodus of SA players to overseas climes has been, not one of the starting XV that day will be around to greet him back in the fold.

Those to have moved on (or in some cases retired) subsequently include the likes of Akona Ndungane, JJ Engelbrecht, Jan Serfontein, Francois Hougaard, Dewald and Jacques Potgieter, Flip van der Merwe, Werner Kruger and Dean Greyling.

Indeed, a whole generation of more subsequent stars have also moved elsewhere ahead of the 2020 season, including Steyn’s illustrious successor at No 10, Handre Pollard (now also French-bound with Montpellier), RG Snyman, Jason Jenkins, Hanro Liebenberg and Jesse Kriel.

So it will be a “fresh start” for Steyn in more ways than one at the once-mighty franchise, who won the title three times during his earlier years in the camp (2007, 2009 and 2010).

How he gets deployed by coach Pote Human will be a reasonably delicate matter, as there is a huge gulf in experience between the returning Steyn and Manie Libbok, the 22-year-old who will begin just his third Super Rugby season shortly.

Former SA U20 star Libbok, who has already shown flashes of attacking genius though needs to improve his consistency, warrants a more extensive opportunity to settle into the No 10 jersey after naturally being well behind Pollard, a recent World Cup winner, in the Bulls’ pivot priority list for a couple of years.

At the same time, the Bulls still have a penchant for “taking the points” when they are offered through potential penalty shots at the posts, and that is where the 66-cap Springbok’s main strengths come appealingly into play; the ravages of ageing don’t necessarily translate into sudden frailty off the tee (or in more general tactical kicking).

Nowadays also offering possibilities as a stand-in fullback when required, Steyn returns to Super Rugby still as the country’s leading points-scorer in it: 1,467, and second only to Dan Carter (1,708) in tournament-wide history.

He holds other milestones like most points in a season (263) and most career dropped goals.

However much (or little) Steyn actually plays in the looming Super Rugby season, his mentorship should be invaluable to Libbok and other emerging flyhalves on the Bulls and Blue Bulls’ books.

But all those pecking-order considerations will remain of reasonably secondary value for the moment to the more nostalgia-laden of Bulls enthusiasts, who will simply be chuffed to see their blue-eyed boy imminently back in the corral …

South Africa's most-capped flyhalf Morne Steyn claimed the lack of squad unity is to blame for Stade Francais sitting bottom of the French Top 14 table, after playing his last game for the club.

Steyn, 35, who won 66 caps for the Springboks, will return to former side the Bulls after six years with the Parisians who have managed only two victories from their opening nine games of the season.

"Not everyone is on the same page. Everyone is not following the same things we want to do. That's the main reason," Steyn told AFP after Sunday's derby defeat to Racing 92.

Jensrsa wrote:Just hope you don't get HM back. Mornetjie isn't too flattering about him

South Africa's most-capped flyhalf Morne Steyn claimed the lack of squad unity is to blame for Stade Francais sitting bottom of the French Top 14 table, after playing his last game for the club.

Steyn, 35, who won 66 caps for the Springboks, will return to former side the Bulls after six years with the Parisians who have managed only two victories from their opening nine games of the season.

"Not everyone is on the same page. Everyone is not following the same things we want to do. That's the main reason," Steyn told AFP after Sunday's derby defeat to Racing 92.

https://www.sport24.co.za/Rugby/departi ... y-20191111

Reports in France suggest that Heyneke Meyer has resigned as head coach at Stade Francais after a string of poor results left the Paris-based team languishing at the bottom of the Top 14.

Meyer's assistants in Pieter de Villiers, Dewald Senekal, defence coach John McFarland and Ricardo Loubscher are also expected to leave.

Jensrsa wrote:Bulls might be getting HM back

Reports in France suggest that Heyneke Meyer has resigned as head coach at Stade Francais after a string of poor results left the Paris-based team languishing at the bottom of the Top 14.

https://www.sport24.co.za/Rugby/heyneke ... s-20191112

Jensrsa wrote:Bulls might be getting HM back

Reports in France suggest that Heyneke Meyer has resigned as head coach at Stade Francais after a string of poor results left the Paris-based team languishing at the bottom of the Top 14.

Meyer's assistants in Pieter de Villiers, Dewald Senekal, defence coach John McFarland and Ricardo Loubscher are also expected to leave.

https://www.sport24.co.za/Rugby/heyneke ... s-20191112

"It has been an honour to coach the club. I have had a great life experience coaching Stade Francais and I have loved my time in Paris," Meyer, 52, said in statement.

"It has always been my intention to do what is best for this great club," he added.

Jensrsa wrote:Bulls Player losses:
Schalk Brits (Retired)
Lood de Jager (to England Sale Sharks)
Jason Jenkins (to Japan Toyota Verblitz)
Eli Snyman (to Italy Benetton)
RG Snyman (to Japan Honda Heat)
Hendré Stassen (to France Stade Français)
Thembelani Bholi (to Southern Kings)
Jannes Kirsten (to England Exeter Chiefs)
Paul Schoeman (to Japan Honda Heat)
Roelof Smit (to Lions)
Hanro Liebenberg (to England Leicester Tigers)
Duane Vermeulen (to Japan Kubota Spears)
André Warner (to Lions)
Handré Pollard (to France Montpellier)
Chris Smith (returned to Pumas)
JT Jackson (to Southern Kings)
Jesse Kriel (to Japan Canon Eagles)
Travis Ismaiel (to England Harlequins)
Duncan Matthews (to Lions)

Confirmed gains so far:
Juandré Kruger (from France Toulon)
Abongile Nonkontwana (from Cheetahs)
Josh Strauss (from England Sale Sharks)
Morné Steyn (from France Stade Français)

Beaver_Shark wrote:

Jensrsa wrote:Bulls Player losses:
Schalk Brits (Retired)
Lood de Jager (to England Sale Sharks)
Jason Jenkins (to Japan Toyota Verblitz)
Eli Snyman (to Italy Benetton)
RG Snyman (to Japan Honda Heat)
Hendré Stassen (to France Stade Français)
Thembelani Bholi (to Southern Kings)
Jannes Kirsten (to England Exeter Chiefs)
Paul Schoeman (to Japan Honda Heat)
Roelof Smit (to Lions)
Hanro Liebenberg (to England Leicester Tigers)
Duane Vermeulen (to Japan Kubota Spears)
André Warner (to Lions)
Handré Pollard (to France Montpellier)
Chris Smith (returned to Pumas)
JT Jackson (to Southern Kings)
Jesse Kriel (to Japan Canon Eagles)
Travis Ismaiel (to England Harlequins)
Duncan Matthews (to Lions)

Confirmed gains so far:
Juandré Kruger (from France Toulon)
Abongile Nonkontwana (from Cheetahs)
Josh Strauss (from England Sale Sharks)
Morné Steyn (from France Stade Français)

That is some exodus. I don't know if they'll be able to plug these gaps.

Chilli wrote:Bulls are in deep shit.

handyman wrote:Let's hope their fans stick with them in the coming years.

Blake wrote:

handyman wrote:Let's hope their fans stick with them in the coming years.

Going to be a tough sell. Loftus has been close to empty for the last 3-4 seasons now. Lots of fair weather fans in Pretoria.

Blake wrote:

handyman wrote:Let's hope their fans stick with them in the coming years.

Going to be a tough sell. Loftus has been close to empty for the last 3-4 seasons now. Lots of fair weather fans in Pretoria.

handyman wrote:

Blake wrote:

handyman wrote:Let's hope their fans stick with them in the coming years.

Going to be a tough sell. Loftus has been close to empty for the last 3-4 seasons now. Lots of fair weather fans in Pretoria.

And fair weather fans on here as well.

assfly wrote:That a lot of pedigree gone out of the window.

It's essentially their Currie Cup team playing Super Rugby.

Good luck Bulls

Average Joe wrote:

Blake wrote:

handyman wrote:Let's hope their fans stick with them in the coming years.

Going to be a tough sell. Loftus has been close to empty for the last 3-4 seasons now. Lots of fair weather fans in Pretoria.

You've got to be kidding me. Attendances are down everywhere.

People don't go to stadiums to watch their team lose week in and week out regardless if it's the Bulls, Lions or WP.

Blake wrote:

Average Joe wrote:

Blake wrote:

handyman wrote:Let's hope their fans stick with them in the coming years.

Going to be a tough sell. Loftus has been close to empty for the last 3-4 seasons now. Lots of fair weather fans in Pretoria.

You've got to be kidding me. Attendances are down everywhere.

People don't go to stadiums to watch their team lose week in and week out regardless if it's the Bulls, Lions or WP.

Having spent a fair amount of my time in Pretoria, I feel quite confident that the Bulls, more so that any other team in South Africa, rely heavily on their crowd do pick-up the team.
The hostility of the crowd played a large role in making Fortress Loftus such an imposing fixture.

No denying it is a chicken and egg situation, but the Bulls in front of a packed Loftus are a completely different animal. If the fans don't show up and give the company some gate earnings soon, I don't think they are going to be able to arrest the spiral and end up in the same boat as WP.

handyman wrote:

Blake wrote:

Average Joe wrote:

Blake wrote:

handyman wrote:Let's hope their fans stick with them in the coming years.

Going to be a tough sell. Loftus has been close to empty for the last 3-4 seasons now. Lots of fair weather fans in Pretoria.

You've got to be kidding me. Attendances are down everywhere.

People don't go to stadiums to watch their team lose week in and week out regardless if it's the Bulls, Lions or WP.

Having spent a fair amount of my time in Pretoria, I feel quite confident that the Bulls, more so that any other team in South Africa, rely heavily on their crowd do pick-up the team.
The hostility of the crowd played a large role in making Fortress Loftus such an imposing fixture.

No denying it is a chicken and egg situation, but the Bulls in front of a packed Loftus are a completely different animal. If the fans don't show up and give the company some gate earnings soon, I don't think they are going to be able to arrest the spiral and end up in the same boat as WP.

handyman wrote:

Blake wrote:Having spent a fair amount of my time in Pretoria, I feel quite confident that the Bulls, more so that any other team in South Africa, rely heavily on their crowd do pick-up the team.
The hostility of the crowd played a large role in making Fortress Loftus such an imposing fixture.

I'm sorry to hear about that. Hope you're ok now?

The Blue Bulls Company has taken the bold step to bring on board the owner of Mamelodi Sundowns football club.

Patrice Motsepe will become a shareholder through African Rainbow Capital – a fully Black-owned and controlled company, focusing on the South African and African financial services industry.

The much talked about and anticipated deal was unanimously concluded on Thursday, at a meeting held at Loftus Versfeld.


The new structure will mean that existing shareholders, Remgro and the Blue Bulls Rugby Union, reduce their previously equal percentage of shareholding from 50 percent each to 37 percent and 26 percent respectively.

This allows Motsepe to buy in, owning the remaining 37 percent.

Lemoentjie wrote:Serious lack of gees

OomPB wrote:Pollard and Kriel show the old jersey.

saffer13 wrote:

Lemoentjie wrote:Serious lack of gees

Our one Bulls fan on here is too busy sorting out his midlife crisis with his young meisie to care about the Bulls.

Sydvicious wrote:

saffer13 wrote:

Lemoentjie wrote:Serious lack of gees

Our one Bulls fan on here is too busy sorting out his midlife crisis with his young meisie to care about the Bulls.

Who is that?

saffer13 wrote:

Sydvicious wrote:

saffer13 wrote:

Lemoentjie wrote:Serious lack of gees

Our one Bulls fan on here is too busy sorting out his midlife crisis with his young meisie to care about the Bulls.

Who is that?

sorC.

Forgot about you.

Chilli wrote:

saffer13 wrote:

Sydvicious wrote:

saffer13 wrote:

Lemoentjie wrote:Serious lack of gees

Our one Bulls fan on here is too busy sorting out his midlife crisis with his young meisie to care about the Bulls.

Who is that?

sorC.

Forgot about you.

Yay Bulls!

bok_viking wrote:I hope the new guys can help breathe some fresh air into the management of the Bulls. I think the upper management of the Bulls should have gone a long time ago. A bunch of relics from the amateur days that tried to run a professional franchise like they did an old amateur provincial team. They have mismanaged player contracts in the past, with many other administrative blunders as well. But because they were such a close knit clique at the top, nothing ever changed.
I welcome any changes even if it is linked to soccer. There has been cooperation between Sundowns and the Bulls for the last decade or so, so not that strange really. There could actually be a lot of opportunity in this new partnership.

Going to be a very tough season, but trying to look on the positive side, all the young players that barely get a chance when the big names are back will get a golden opportunity to show what they have.
At least I can watch this season with very little expectation.
They showed some flashes of good play during parts Currie Cup but just never could keep it going. Don't think Pote is the coach to get things back up and running though, but cannot say who in SA would do a better job either.

bok_viking wrote:Yeah some guys are very good assistant coaches when they have to focus on a specific core competency. But once they get to the head coach position and have to focus on a whole array of things, they just do not have it in them to be great at multitasking.

But the main thing for me is that for the last 10 years at least the administration/management side of the Bulls have been really bad and it has trickled down to all levels. And in turn I do think it makes it much easier for players to leave as they do not feel a big affinity to the team.

I have a friend who has been working in the Bulls organization almost 25 years, and he says that over the last 10 years the Bulls felt less and less like a family. Whereas before the whole organization felt like a big family that you did not want to leave and everyone was pretty close knit whether you were staff or players.

Steyn will also be key to the way the Bulls play this season, with Human expecting him to be the general on the field.

Losing the physicality of the likes of Vermeulen, Snyman and De Jager will have a major impact on how the Bulls play.

"You have to play with what you've got, and I don't think I've got the players at this stage to play old Bulls rugby," Human said.

"We won't be stupid, but if the opportunity is there to play then we want the players to express themselves.

"A guy like Morne will run that 100% for me. Play the territory, but if it's on then I want to play it."