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J.J. Harmse
Pretoria – Victor Matfield believes he has the best of both worlds to be able to play with Danie Rossouw and Bakkies Botha.
That is why it does not concern him which one of the two runs out with him when the Bulls take on the Crusaders on Friday. In this instance it will be Rossouw, who will be playing his 100th Super rugby game.
“It does not really matter which one of them is there because they both make a huge contribution. It will be nice to see Danie play his 100th game on Friday. He would probably have been close to 100 tests had it not been for Bakkies being there,” said Matfield.
Rossouw replaces Botha, who will come off the bench. Botha’s return following his ankle injury is being carefully planned and he will certainly do his bit in the second half.
The unfortunate player who is losing out due to Botha’s return, Flip van der Merwe, said that Rossouw could not be omitted from any side.
“He’s probably the ultimate Blue Bull. He’s big, fast, strong, fearless and skilful. You always want one of those guys in your team. You’d rather play with him than against him.”
In another change to the squad that beat the Sharks, Jaco van der Westhuyzen, who has recovered from a calf injury, comes onto the bench in place of Heini Adams. Coach Frans Ludeke said it was a tactical decision.
“Jaco’s inclusion gives us more variety on the bench. We have Francois Hougaard that can help out at scrumhalf and believe Jaco’s experience gives us something extra. Jaco can make a big impact.”
Ludeke was delighted with Jacques-Louis Potgieter’s performance against the Sharks and retained him as outside centre.
“Jacques-Louis is a footballer and can adapt to any position. That is one of the reasons we lured him back to the Bulls. It’s nice to have so much depth. He did the basics right against the Sharks and defended very well.”
The Bulls can make sure of a home semifinal on Friday night, and Matfield said that other results in the Super14 would not influence the Bulls’ approach.
“We’re still playing to win the games. If other results mean we are already in the semifinal come kick-off, it won’t change our approach. We prepared to perform a certain task and will look to execute it against the Crusaders.”
Matfield believes the team’s routine is the reason for its success.
“It’s about starting over every week, working hard and focusing on the next opponent.”
The Bulls team is: Zane Kirchner, Gerhard van den Heever, Jacques-Louis Potgieter, Wynand Olivier, Francois Hougaard, Morné Steyn, Fourie du Preez, Pierre Spies, Dewald Potgieter, Deon Stegmann, Victor Matfield (capt), Danie Rossouw, Werner Kruger, Gary Botha, Gurthrö Steenkamp.
Substitutes: Bandise Maku, Bees Roux, Bakkies Botha, Derick Kuün, Jaco van der Westhuyzen, Stephan Dippenaar, Pedrie Wannenburg.
Pretoria – Victor Matfield believes he has the best of both worlds to be able to play with Danie Rossouw and Bakkies Botha.
That is why it does not concern him which one of the two runs out with him when the Bulls take on the Crusaders on Friday. In this instance it will be Rossouw, who will be playing his 100th Super rugby game.
“It does not really matter which one of them is there because they both make a huge contribution. It will be nice to see Danie play his 100th game on Friday. He would probably have been close to 100 tests had it not been for Bakkies being there,” said Matfield.
Rossouw replaces Botha, who will come off the bench. Botha’s return following his ankle injury is being carefully planned and he will certainly do his bit in the second half.
The unfortunate player who is losing out due to Botha’s return, Flip van der Merwe, said that Rossouw could not be omitted from any side.
“He’s probably the ultimate Blue Bull. He’s big, fast, strong, fearless and skilful. You always want one of those guys in your team. You’d rather play with him than against him.”
In another change to the squad that beat the Sharks, Jaco van der Westhuyzen, who has recovered from a calf injury, comes onto the bench in place of Heini Adams. Coach Frans Ludeke said it was a tactical decision.
“Jaco’s inclusion gives us more variety on the bench. We have Francois Hougaard that can help out at scrumhalf and believe Jaco’s experience gives us something extra. Jaco can make a big impact.”
Ludeke was delighted with Jacques-Louis Potgieter’s performance against the Sharks and retained him as outside centre.
“Jacques-Louis is a footballer and can adapt to any position. That is one of the reasons we lured him back to the Bulls. It’s nice to have so much depth. He did the basics right against the Sharks and defended very well.”
The Bulls can make sure of a home semifinal on Friday night, and Matfield said that other results in the Super14 would not influence the Bulls’ approach.
“We’re still playing to win the games. If other results mean we are already in the semifinal come kick-off, it won’t change our approach. We prepared to perform a certain task and will look to execute it against the Crusaders.”
Matfield believes the team’s routine is the reason for its success.
“It’s about starting over every week, working hard and focusing on the next opponent.”
The Bulls team is: Zane Kirchner, Gerhard van den Heever, Jacques-Louis Potgieter, Wynand Olivier, Francois Hougaard, Morné Steyn, Fourie du Preez, Pierre Spies, Dewald Potgieter, Deon Stegmann, Victor Matfield (capt), Danie Rossouw, Werner Kruger, Gary Botha, Gurthrö Steenkamp.
Substitutes: Bandise Maku, Bees Roux, Bakkies Botha, Derick Kuün, Jaco van der Westhuyzen, Stephan Dippenaar, Pedrie Wannenburg.
