2018 SA Super Rugby Squads

[TRF_heineken]

Okay so the teams are starting their preparations for 2018 and the Bulls have announced their training squad:

Bulls training squad:

Props: Pierre Schoeman, Trevor Nyakane, Lizo Gqoboka, Conraad van Vuuren, John-Roy Jenkinson, Frans van Wyk, Mox Mxoli, Matthys Basson, Gerhard Steenekamp (Apprentice, injured).

Hookers: Jaco Visagie, Adriaan Strauss, Edgar Marutlulle, Johan Grobbelaar, Jan-Henning Campher, Corniel Els (injured)

Locks: Jason Jenkins, RG Snyman (both Japan), Lood de Jager, Aston Fortuin, Ruben van Heerden, Eli Snyman, Abongile Nonkontwana

Loose Forwards: Roelof Smit, Jacques Potgieter (Japan), Hanro Liebenberg, Ruan Steenkamp (injured), Jannes Kirsten, Nic de Jager (Japan), Marco Stassen (injured), Tim Agaba (SA Sevens), Thembelani Bholi, Shaun Adendorff, Boom Prinsloo, Denzil Hill (apprentice), Eduan Lubbe (apprentice), Jaco Bezuidenhout (apprentice), Kwezi Mafu (apprentice), Ryno Pieterse (apprentice).

Scrumhalves: Ivan van Zyl (injured), Andre Warner, Embrose Papier, Theo Maree

Flyhalves: Handre Pollard, Marnitz Boshoff, Manie Libbok, Tony Jantjies, Tinus de Beer.

Midfielders: Jesse Kriel, Dries Swanepoel, Johnny Kotze, Ulrich Beyers, Stedman Gans (SA 7s), Burger Odendaal, Francois Brummer (Japan), JT Jackson (injured).

Outside backs: Warrick Gelant, Travis Ismaiel, Jamba Ulengo, Duncan Matthews, Jade Stighling, Franco Naude, Divan Rossouw, Andell Loubser (apprentice).

Bulls Super Rugby Management team:

Head Coach and Defence: John Mitchell

Skills, attack and kicking: Hayden Groepes

Forward Coach & Lineouts: Pote Human

Forward Coach & Scrums: Gary Botha

Baggage and Kit Master: Elias Bennett

Team Doctor: Dr Herman Rossouw

Team Physios: Lance Lemmetjies & Pieter du Plessis

Senior Rehab specialist: Juandre Williams

Strength & Conditioning Coaches: Jacus Coetzee and Ghafoer Luckan

Technical Analysist at Super Rugby: John William Meyer


PS. Did you also see the glaring omission of a certain Springbok in the group??

 

[unrated]

I find it odd that Strauss was named in the squad. Kind of expected him to go to Europe when he announced his retirement from the Springboks. He basically gave up extra money.
Papier and Libbok are two exciting baby boks players i have high hopes for them.

No Rudy Paige? Did he not sign with the Lions or attempted to?

 

[JH1315]

Well, most other sources I can find appear to have Paige listed. I don't know why yours doesn't, but anyway as someone who wants to see more competitiveness in super rugby, I think I'm relatively pleased with this bulls' squad. I'm not sure about the younger currie cup guys, but unlike previous years the bulls have not lost too many players from the previous season. Serfontein, Tian Schoeman, Piet van Zyl and Renaldo Bothma appear to be the most notable losses. Serfontein is the only one of those who should be hard to replace. On the other hand, Boshoff should be a very capable back-up if Pollard still can't find form early next season, and perhaps they have better depth at prop and back row? Will still probably be favourites to be SA's worst team, but they mightn't do too badly if Mitchell as coach works well for them.

 

[die_mole]

this pretty much confirms Paige to the Lions if this list is accurate does it not?

 

[TRF_heineken]

Adriaan Strauss won't do a permanent move to another country. He and his family moved specifically to Pretoria due to his wife's work and they bought a big house in a security estate.

As for Paige, I see his name is now added to the original article. So he is still with the Bulls.

While I agree that losing Jan Serfontein is a big loss, I'm excited at the group we've got especially in the backline. And with both Boshoff and Libbok there, I have a suspicion that Pollard might be used a bit more in the 12 position, and maybe alternate with Burger Odendaal (who had a great Currie Cup) and JT Jackson.