Planet Rugby Forum

assfly wrote:

Chilli wrote:He has been pretty average for a while. Maybe not a great loss.

Never managed to repeat the standards of his breakthrough season. Perhaps a change of environment is what's needed, but would have been interesting to see what White could have done with him. Could end up thriving in the mediocre Stormers backline.

Chilli wrote:

assfly wrote:

Chilli wrote:He has been pretty average for a while. Maybe not a great loss.

Never managed to repeat the standards of his breakthrough season. Perhaps a change of environment is what's needed, but would have been interesting to see what White could have done with him. Could end up thriving in the mediocre Stormers backline.

This is a good point, but you can't get much more mediocre than the 2020 Bulls backline

Sards wrote:

Chilli wrote:

assfly wrote:

Chilli wrote:He has been pretty average for a while. Maybe not a great loss.

Never managed to repeat the standards of his breakthrough season. Perhaps a change of environment is what's needed, but would have been interesting to see what White could have done with him. Could end up thriving in the mediocre Stormers backline.

This is a good point, but you can't get much more mediocre than the 2020 Bulls backline

I wish you guys wouldn't beat yourself up so much.

The Sharks backline is just a freak of nature.

Trying to compare with that is unrealistic.

The Bulls have announced the signing Russell Winter as their new forwards coach.

The announcement was confirmed on the franchise's Facebook page on Friday where Director of Rugby Jake White welcomed Winter on board.

Winter played as a loose forward for the Cats and Sharks in Super Rugby and the Golden Lions in the Currie Cup and Vodacom Cup.

Nationally, he turned out for the Blitzboks at the Hong Kong Sevens and Commonwealth Games in 1998 while he toured Europe with South Africa 'A' in 2001.

He also played for the Newcastle Falcons in the English Premiership before trading his boots for a coaching career.

Winter returned to the Golden Lions in 2011, where he coached the Vodacom Cup and U21 teams which included silverware in 2013 (Vodacom Cup) before moving to the Cape in 2016 as the forwards coach of the Stormers and Western Province.

Winter shares a relationship with White that spans over two decades with the latter being a major force in Winter's decision to attend Jeppe High School for Boys. His move to Loftus Versfeld marks another relationship milestone with the duo sharing similar coaching philosophies.

Winter expressed his delight in joining the Bulls and added that he is excited to implement his vision once rugby resumes following its suspension due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

"The Bulls have always been a special team that have enjoyed success at the highest level. I'm excited to be part of this Bulls family that shares so many values that I hold dear," he said.

"I look forward to doing everything in my power to assist in making the Bulls a team that not only produces the results on the field, but also goes above and beyond in making our supporters proud."

White stated that it will be special to have Winter as an assistant coach that sees their relationship come full circle after it begun in the early 1990s.


"I watched Russell grow from strength to strength as a player and continued to watch him grow as a coach," he said.

"We've spoken at length about his role within the Bulls family and he is eager to get started with the forwards as soon as we can train again."

The Bulls have announced the signing of Western Province hooker, Schalk Erasmus, who will make the move to Pretoria as of June 2020.

The 22-year-old has signed a three-year contract that will see him at Loftus Versfeld until October 2023.

READ: Mbonambi fully committed to Stormers - Dobson

Erasmus is no stranger to Pretoria and was schooled at Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool (Affies) where he also represented the Blue Bulls at various age-group Craven Weeks and the SA Schools team in 2016 before opting to study at Stellenbosch University where he tasted Varsity Cup glory with Maties in 2018 and 2019.

His star continued to rise in 2018 as he made the trip to the World Rugby U20 Championship in France where he helped the Junior Springboks claim a bronze medal.

The following season would be the year that Erasmus was promoted to senior rugby as he made his Currie Cup debut off the bench against Griquas while also turning out for Western Province in the SuperSport Rugby Challenge.


Erasmus thanked his former team for the memories while touching on his move North.

"I enjoyed my time in the Cape. Memories made and a few rugby goals of mine ticked off but I'm excited for something different and I believe Loftus is the place for the experience. I'm looking forward to getting stuck in with my new Bulls family as soon as possible," he said.

- Bulls media

Flyhalf Lionel Cronje said Bulls director of rugby Jake White knows how to adapt his coaching methods to the needs of the team, despite some uncertainty as to how the new-look Bulls will play.

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Cronje played under White at Toyota Verblitz in Japan and knows better than most how the former Springbok World Cup-winning coach evolved his methods to coach in different countries since that famous 2007 triumph.

White has been surgically moulding the Bulls into potential Super Rugby winners again. New acquisitions Gio Aplon, Walt Steenkamp and Schalk Erasmus have joined the project, while Arno Botha, Marcel van der Merwe and Travis Ismaiel have returned to Loftus.

Forwards Sintu Manjezi and Jason Jenkins could also add more muscle to a team that will boast Springbok No 8 Duane Vermeulen once rugby resumes.

Cronje predicted that White would develop a winning team in Pretoria.

"Jake is very good at identifying what different leagues require," he said.

"You’re not going to coach and play a kicking game in Japan because they want to see an exciting brand of rugby. He adapts to what the leagues require.

"When he coached the Boks at the World Cup, he understood where our strengths were and he coached according to that. The same applied when he was at the Sharks and in France (Montpellier).

"Even during the short stint I had with him at the Brumbies, he was exposed to some awesome backline players and loose-forwards. He was able to adapt and he could understand what the players wanted.

"He understood what brand they wanted to play and, most importantly, how to get victories. Whatever it’s going to take to win, that’s what Jake is going to do.

"He's going to provide you with the perfect game plan and system to allow you to become winners. It’s also important for him to develop young players and get them to win at a young age. In Japan, he developed so many of their superstars like Kazuki Himeno, who was their World Cup [blindside] flanker."

Cronje has also been murmured to be one of those Verblitz players that could reunite with White at Loftus, to fill the void left by youngster Manie Libbok. But Cronje said he and White had not spoken about the possibility of him playing in blue at some point this year.

"I know that Jason and Gio are going to be involved with the Currie Cup but I haven’t formally chatted to Jake at any time," said Cronje.

"I’m still contracted to Toyota until March next season. We are obviously not playing any rugby at the moment but if I get an opportunity and permission to get a Currie Cup gig for two or three months, it could happen.

"But right now, with all the uncertainty in and around sport, I am 100% committed to Toyota."
White’s technical team has also taken shape, with assistants Russell Winter, Joey Mongalo and Nollis Marais joining the coaching ranks. Previous coaches Pote and Daan Human were, however, released to pursue other opportunities, while players such as Johnny Kotze and Warrick Gelant also left the stable.

According to Cronje, the prospect of being coached by and working with White ought to entice any player with a similar will to win as White does.

"Jake's a brilliant coach," Cronje added.


"He is very honest and very fair - at times really brutal - but he knows what he wants and he’s good at installing professional systems.

"If you play well, he’ll back you, if not then he will make big calls and big changes. In a nutshell, he wants to win. He’s very competitive by nature.

"If you are serious about your rugby and you’re serious about winning, then you want to play under Jake because you know the kind of professional environment you’ll play under."

Springboks Sevens speedster Rosko Specman is believed to be on the verge of signing a deal with the Cheetahs.

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Afrikaans newspaper Rapport indicated on Sunday that Specman was set to sign a two-year deal with the men from Bloemfontein.

He played for the Cheetahs in 2017 during a brief stint in the 15-man code, before playing Super Rugby for the Bulls for the past two seasons.


The report added that he is not part of Bulls director of rugby Jake White’s plans and will in all likelihood head to the Cheetahs.

When probed by Sport24, a Cheetahs spokesperson could not confirm Specman's move as he had not yet signed a contract.

It is however believed that the 31-year-old had reached an agreement with Cheetahs coach Hawies Fourie.

Specman will also be available for the Blitzboks when the World Rugby Sevens Series resumes after the coronavirus-enforced break.

READ | Cheetahs land promising centre from Montpellier

- Compiled by Sport24 staff

Chilli wrote: To be honest he hasn't exactly set the world alight this year. Defensively lacking and will not fit into Jake's idea's.

OomPB wrote:To small for Jakes plan. Spekkie will fit right into the Cheetahs.

bok_viking wrote:I am a bit worried that so many backline players are leaving the Bulls and the only ones that came in are all oldtimers at the end of their careers.

Originally it looked really good with the exciting forwards coming in, but then the back players started leaving.

Right now it seems like he wants to play old 10 man rugby with a bunch of old timers in the backline that will stand around. Just looking at players coming and going... it does not seem like Jake is adapting a more balanced game and that he wants to go back to tactics of 20 years ago.

Hope I am wrong, and we still get one or 2 exciting backline players in. No use having a potential forward pack that can stand up to anyone but a backline that cannot do anything with the ball.

bok_viking wrote:Actually HM was not that bad during the last few years when the Bulls became so dominant, as i recall most of those seasons they tended to end top or close to the top in try scoring. But they did use their pack to deadly effect. Guys like Habana and even the centers like Olivier scored truckloads of tries. HM at the Bulls were a different person to HM the Springbok coach in my opinion. He seemed like a dinosaur at the Boks. I think he was good at building a team if given time, but ended up not being good doing what needed to be done in short stints with very little tome working with players as a national coach.

At this moment i am struggling to see what Jake has in mind apart from "Traditional South African Rugby" so in that way it can definitely be HM Springbok coach 2.0. We basically lost our whole starting backline already, and i see no backline replacement so far to be excited about.

Former Stormer Nizaam Carr joins Bulls


Nizaam Carr played close to 100 Super Rugby matches for the Stormers before joining London Wasps in 2018.
He earned five Springbok caps, the last of which came in a 27-13 loss to Wales at the Millennium Stadium in 2016.
Bulls director of rugby Jake White says it's great to have a talent like Carr's back on South African soil.

Former Springboks and Stormers back-rower Nizaam Carr is the latest player to join the new Jake White project at the Bulls, the franchise confirmed on Friday.

The Bulls uploaded a teaser video onto their social media platforms, asking fans: "Who will be added to the Bulls 2020 WhatsApp group this afternoon?"


Carr, who won five Springbok caps between 2014 and 2016, had been based at English club Wasps since 2018 but opted to come back to South Africa in the colours of Stormers rivals, the Bulls.

The loose-forward is the latest in a number of experienced and high-profile signings by World Cup-winning former Springbok coach Jake White - a list that includes Gio Aplon, Arno Botha, Travis Ismaiel and Marcel van der Merwe.

The 29-year-old former Bishops pupil played close to 100 times for the Stormers and more than 50 times in Western Province colours. He is one of the most versatile players available to Bulls director of rugby, White, as he can play any possible in the back row.

"Nizaam needs little introduction and I'm happy that he has decided to continue his career with the Bulls," White said.

"His ability to perform under pressure will only benefit the franchise while his experience will be used to mentor the younger loose forwards in the squad as well. He has done well in England and it is great to have his talent back on South African soil again."

The team will also be joined by Springbok Duane Vermeulen, who confirmed his return to Loftus earlier this year. White still has Scotland international Josh Strauss, Springbok Marco van Staden, Abongile Nonkontwana and Tim Agaba as loose-forwards at his disposal.

Chilli wrote:

OomPB wrote:Bulls becoming the Stormers old age home lately
Nizaam Carr the latest addition

Ja........another old average player.

He needs to be buying decent backline players.

The Bulls have entrusted Wessel du Plessis with keeping the franchise's conveyor belt rolling by appointing him as head of junior rugby.

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Recruiting the 35-year-old Grey College 1st XV head coach can be considered a coup for director of rugby, Jake White, as it once again illustrates the all-round enthusiasm for the former Bok mentor's vision as well as the attractiveness of leaving a stable job at one of SA's foremost nurseries for a bigger challenge.

Du Plessis, in charge at the school since 2014, has been hugely successful and was installed as the SA Schools 'A' coach for 2020 by the national federation before the Covid-19 pandemic scuppered junior rugby for the rest of the year.


"I'm passionate about helping young rugby players realise their potential and being able to do that within a professional environment such as the Bulls is just the cherry on top. The junior structures at Loftus Versfeld are impressive while the players are of an exceptional quality as evident by Loftus being the current home to the SA Rugby Under-21 and Under-19 Championship trophies," he said.

"I'm looking forward to working with the next generation of Bulls players and a heartfelt thank you must be given to the BCCo (Blue Bulls Company) for this opportunity."

Du Plessis will take over from Nollis Marais, the franchise's experienced and decorated age-group coach who's been elevated into the senior coaching staff as a breakdown specialist.

The appointment also confirms the steady trend of South African rugby starting to warm up to the benefits of promoting accomplished school coaches, with the Lions notably employing Glenwood and Paarl Boys High's Sean Erasmus in 2018.

Erasmus is currently the senior team's defence coach.

While White's emphasis remains on moulding a formidable senior group of players in the short-term, he's certainly not oblivious to keeping the future in mind.

"Creating a winning culture starts at the bottom and it is important to invest in the future of Bulls rugby. When I joined, I stated my intention of improving the schools and club rugby structures and appointing a coach of Du Plessis' calibre is a step in the right direction. I look forward to working with him," he said.

- Compiled by Heinz Schenk

The Bulls on Wednesday confirmed the signing of lock Jan Uys from French Top 14 club CA Brive.

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The Pretoria franchise announced via a press statement that the 26-year-old will join them from 1 July.

Uys spent the last few seasons with Brive after an initial six-month stint with fellow Top 14 outfit Pau.


The 1.99m and 120kg behemoth made his first class debut for Western Province in the 2014 Vodacom Cup and represented the Cape union at under-19 and under-21 level.

He was also part of the famous UCT Ikeys side that won the 2014 Varsity Cup when they snatched a last-gasp win over NUW-Pukke in the final in Potchefstroom.

The former Paul Roos Gymnasium scholar also spent a season with the Eastern Province Kings in 2015 where he captained their under-21 team on occasion before leaving for France.

"The Bulls Family can expect hard hits and tons of grunt in the tight phases from Uys, with his inclusion set to bolster the Bulls lock stocks as director of rugby, Jake White, adds more firepower to a squad bursting in talent," the Bulls commented in the statement.

- Compiled by Sport24 staff

OomPB wrote:Bulls becoming the Stormers old age home lately
Nizaam Carr the latest addition

Experienced loose forward Josh Strauss' stay at the Bulls has ended prematurely.

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The 33-year-old on Thursday confirmed in an interview with Netwerk24 that he was "done with the Bulls".

This comes after he signed a two-year deal with the Pretoria franchise mere months ago.


A Bulls spokesperson confirmed Strauss' departure to Sport24 and added that they would release a statement on the matter on Thursday evening.

The Netwerk24 report adds that Jake White, the Bulls' new director of rugby, had informed Strauss via his agent that his services were no longer required at Loftus Versfeld.

"When I decided to come back last year and play for the Bulls it was 100% because of family reasons. I also considered several good offers from overseas clubs but decided to take a massive pay cut to come home for my family."

Strauss would have had his fair share of competition at No 8, with Duane Vermeulen, Nizaam Carr, Arno Botha and Tim Agaba all part of White's plans.

The former Lions captain had spent five seasons at Scottish club Glasgow Warriors (2012-2017) and also played for Sale Sharks in England (2017-2019) and Stade Francais in France (2019-2020) before joining the Bulls at the beginning of the year.

He also played 15 Tests for Scotland.

Strauss added that he would not retire from the game and is on the lookout for a new team.