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Pretoria – Danie Rossouw is at his happiest when hunting. Whether he’s stalking a kudu with a crossbow, an eland with a rifle or even trout fishing, there are few things that makes the big Bulls player happier.
Friday’s Super 14 game at Loftus Versfeld will also bring a smile to the corners of Rossouw’s mouth.
The 31-year-old will not just run in front in his 100th game in Super rugby for the Bulls, but will also be hunting a victory over the Crusaders.
The Bulls are aiming for an 18th consecutive win on their home ground and hoping to secure four log points. That will ensure a home semi-final in Soweto.
A bonus point with five log points will see them take a big step towards finishing at the top of the log for a second successive year.
As is the case when hunting, Rossouw believes patience will be the key against the Crusaders. He views the New Zealand side as his toughest opponent.
“The Crusaders’ record is unique. They are Super rugby’s best team ever and every game against them is very difficult. You can never underestimate them because they have tough forwards and dangerous backs,” Rossouw warned.
For that reason it will be easy to not get caught up in the emotion of the occasion.
“I’m grateful for the milestone because it means you had to be injury free for a large part of your career, but my approach will be the same as always,” he said.
“I’m grateful for the Bulls standing by me all these years, but emotion can wear you down. So, apart from running in front, the game will be approached the same way as always.”
Rossouw will have an important role to play. His fiery play in the tight loose and outstanding lineout play will be a given, but he will have to nail the Crusaders in his role as ball-carrier.
Coach Frans Ludeke said earlier in the week that momentum would be the difference between the sides. That will be determined by which team crosses the advantage line the most.
“The Crusaders attack you at the breakdowns and stop your momentum that way. We are at our best when we have momentum. It’s clear therefore that the advantage line will be important. If our ball-carriers can cross it, we’ll get what we need,” said Ludeke.
Rossouw agrees.
“The advantage we have is that we have the ability to be patient. The experience of guys like Fourie du Preez and Victor Matfield is very important. The other good thing about the team is that everyone strives for improvement. The best of the Bulls is yet to come,” he said.
He is also clear about his personal goals.
“This is not the end of my career. I plan to still reach great heights with the Bulls.”
Bulls v Crusaders, Loftus Versfeld 19:10
Bulls:
15. Zane Kirchner; 14. Gerhard van der Heever, 13. Jacques-Louis Potgieter, 12. Wynand Olivier, 11. Francois Hougaard; 10. Morné Steyn, 9. Fourie du Preez; 8. Pierre Spies, 7. Dewald Potgieter, 6. Deon Stegmann, 5. Victor Matfield (captain), 4. Danie Rossouw, 3. Werner Kruger, 2. Gary Botha, 1. Gurthrö Steenkamp.
Substitutes: 16. Bandise Maku, 17 . Bees Roux, 18. Bakkies Botha, 19. Pedrie Wannenburg, 20. Stephan Dippenaar, 21. Jaco van der Westhuyzen.
Crusaders:
15 Colin Slade, 14 Sean Maitland, 13 Robbie Fruean, 12 Dan Bowden, 11 Zac Guildford, 10 Dan Carter, 9 Kahn Fotuali’i, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Richie McCaw (captain), 6 George Whitelock, 5 Chris Jack, 4 Brad Thorn, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Ti’i Paulo, 1 Wyatt Crockett.
Substitutes: 16 Dan Perrin, 17 Ben Franks, 18 Sam Whitelock, 19 Thomas Waldrom, 20 Andy Ellis, 21 Ryan Crotty, 22 Jared Payne.
Referee: Marius Jonker.
Touch judges: Jaco Peyper, Christie du Preez.
Television match official: Shaun Veldsman.
Pretoria – Danie Rossouw is at his happiest when hunting. Whether he’s stalking a kudu with a crossbow, an eland with a rifle or even trout fishing, there are few things that makes the big Bulls player happier.
Friday’s Super 14 game at Loftus Versfeld will also bring a smile to the corners of Rossouw’s mouth.
The 31-year-old will not just run in front in his 100th game in Super rugby for the Bulls, but will also be hunting a victory over the Crusaders.
The Bulls are aiming for an 18th consecutive win on their home ground and hoping to secure four log points. That will ensure a home semi-final in Soweto.
A bonus point with five log points will see them take a big step towards finishing at the top of the log for a second successive year.
As is the case when hunting, Rossouw believes patience will be the key against the Crusaders. He views the New Zealand side as his toughest opponent.
“The Crusaders’ record is unique. They are Super rugby’s best team ever and every game against them is very difficult. You can never underestimate them because they have tough forwards and dangerous backs,” Rossouw warned.
For that reason it will be easy to not get caught up in the emotion of the occasion.
“I’m grateful for the milestone because it means you had to be injury free for a large part of your career, but my approach will be the same as always,” he said.
“I’m grateful for the Bulls standing by me all these years, but emotion can wear you down. So, apart from running in front, the game will be approached the same way as always.”
Rossouw will have an important role to play. His fiery play in the tight loose and outstanding lineout play will be a given, but he will have to nail the Crusaders in his role as ball-carrier.
Coach Frans Ludeke said earlier in the week that momentum would be the difference between the sides. That will be determined by which team crosses the advantage line the most.
“The Crusaders attack you at the breakdowns and stop your momentum that way. We are at our best when we have momentum. It’s clear therefore that the advantage line will be important. If our ball-carriers can cross it, we’ll get what we need,” said Ludeke.
Rossouw agrees.
“The advantage we have is that we have the ability to be patient. The experience of guys like Fourie du Preez and Victor Matfield is very important. The other good thing about the team is that everyone strives for improvement. The best of the Bulls is yet to come,” he said.
He is also clear about his personal goals.
“This is not the end of my career. I plan to still reach great heights with the Bulls.”
Bulls v Crusaders, Loftus Versfeld 19:10
Bulls:
15. Zane Kirchner; 14. Gerhard van der Heever, 13. Jacques-Louis Potgieter, 12. Wynand Olivier, 11. Francois Hougaard; 10. Morné Steyn, 9. Fourie du Preez; 8. Pierre Spies, 7. Dewald Potgieter, 6. Deon Stegmann, 5. Victor Matfield (captain), 4. Danie Rossouw, 3. Werner Kruger, 2. Gary Botha, 1. Gurthrö Steenkamp.
Substitutes: 16. Bandise Maku, 17 . Bees Roux, 18. Bakkies Botha, 19. Pedrie Wannenburg, 20. Stephan Dippenaar, 21. Jaco van der Westhuyzen.
Crusaders:
15 Colin Slade, 14 Sean Maitland, 13 Robbie Fruean, 12 Dan Bowden, 11 Zac Guildford, 10 Dan Carter, 9 Kahn Fotuali’i, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Richie McCaw (captain), 6 George Whitelock, 5 Chris Jack, 4 Brad Thorn, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Ti’i Paulo, 1 Wyatt Crockett.
Substitutes: 16 Dan Perrin, 17 Ben Franks, 18 Sam Whitelock, 19 Thomas Waldrom, 20 Andy Ellis, 21 Ryan Crotty, 22 Jared Payne.
Referee: Marius Jonker.
Touch judges: Jaco Peyper, Christie du Preez.
Television match official: Shaun Veldsman.
