SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: The Bulls have announced their Currie Cup squad ahead of their season opener against Western Province at the Cape Town Stadium.
No fewer than six of the players who starred for the Junior Springboks in winning the U-20 World Championship and four Springboks are among those named today in coach Phiwe Nomlomo’s Bulls squad for the Currie Cup.
The robust health of the club’s junior pathways is further reflected in another 10 players being under the age of 21, which signals both ambition and confidence on the part of Nomlomo and his coaching team.
Thus, more than 50 percent of the squad (excluding the injured list) is comprised of club and Under-21 players.
Former SA Under-20 flanker Nama Xaba will captain the side this season.
Ahead of this weekend’s start against Western Province in Cape Town, Nomlomo hailed South African rugby’s oldest competition as a “great opportunity for the players to go out and do their best for themselves and the jersey”.
He said he was excited that incoming Bulls United Rugby Championship coach Johan Ackermann would be able to see the Currie Cup squad first hand, and to run the rule over the depth at Loftus Versfeld.
“They’ve put in the work,” said Nomlomo, who is under no illusions as to the strength of the competition.
“There’s massive competition for places, so I’m looking forward to what unfolds.”
The world champion Junior Boks who will wear Bulls colours are Esethu Mnebelele, Jacobus Grobbelaar, Jean Erasmus, JJ Theron, Cheswill Jooste and Demitre Erasmus.
Forwards: Abri vd Westhuysen, Cassie Badenhorst, Dylan de Leeuw, Dylan Smith, Esethu Mnebelele, Francois Klopper, Jacobus Grobbelaar, Jean Erasmus, Jeandre Rudolph, JJ Theron, Joe van Zyl, Junior Pokomela, Lizo Gqoboka, Marco Ferreira, Marvin Orie, Nama Xaba (captain), Ruan Swart, Shaun Schurmann, Sintu Manjezi.
Backs: Boeta Chamberlain, Brooklyn Newmann, Cheswill Jooste, Chris Barend Smit, Daimon O’Connell, Demitre Erasmus, Henry Immelman, Jaco van der Walt, Katlego Letebele, Liam Koen, PA van Niekerk, Riyaad Bam, Stedman Gans, Steven Nel, Stravino Jacobs, Zak Burger.
Injured: Aphiwe Dyantyi, Celimpilo Gumede, Corne Beets, Cornel Smit, Heinrich Theron, Juann Else, Khutha Mchunu, Nizaam Carr, Simphiwe Matanzima.
