Publications
Partners
J.J. Harmse
Pretoria - The Bulls will head to Cape Town this week without Bakkies Botha.
Botha pulled up midway through his team's preparations on Tuesday and could not complete the training session in the build-up to Saturday's Super Rugby match against the Stormers at Newlands.
Botha got through the team's lineout session without any problems, but could not make it through the defensive session with his sore knee.
He called out to coach Frans Ludeke and when the mentor looked at him he shook his head, said "no" and walked off the field.
Team doctor Org Strauss confirmed afterwards that Botha would not be making his 100th appearance for the Bulls at Newlands.
"No, Bakkies is experiencing too much pain and we decided that it will be better to withdraw him. He should come into consideration for next week's game against the Sharks," said Strauss.
Strauss also had bad news about Fourie du Preez.
"He is doing very well with his rehabilitation and says he's ready to play, but we won't be taking any chances. He should also be ready to play against the Sharks," said Strauss.
Ludeke fortunately had a number of options at lock. He could move Danie Rossouw, who is excelling on the flank, back to the engine room to partner Victor Matfield again.
Rossouw also did not complete Wednesday's training session, but Strauss put it down to a back spasm.
Another option, and possibly the more likely one, is to hand Flip van der Merwe his first start this year.
The boy from the Kalahari, who celebrated his 26th birthday on Monday, has not been paired from the start with Matfield yet this year, but they have often finished games as a combination.
Van der Merwe is also in good form and will be straining at the leash to play at Newlands, where he made his Test debut for the Springboks.
Bulls backline coach Pieter Rossouw said on Tuesday that the team enjoys Newlands and games against the Stormers.
"I think it's still the big one in local rugby. Since my playing days matches between North and South have always been special occasions and Newlands is a fantastic field to play on because the atmosphere is incredible."
Rossouw was reluctant to believe the rumour that Peter Grant would not play for the Stormers, but believes it will be a big game for Kurt Coleman if that is the case.
"He has improved in every game, but is yet to play in front of a full stadium, so one will have to see whether he has the temperament to do it."
Rossouw believes the Bulls are a better equipped side than the one that lost to the Stormers on March 19 at Loftus.
"We have won five in a row now and the self-belief and confidence is there. A number of our senior players are also playing good rugby again, so I'm looking forward to the game immensely," he said.
He believes the Bulls will take a hiding if they are not at their best.
"The Stormers have only conceded 13 tries in 14 games, so we won't just pitch up and score tries. We will have to take every chance we get."
Pretoria - The Bulls will head to Cape Town this week without Bakkies Botha.
Botha pulled up midway through his team's preparations on Tuesday and could not complete the training session in the build-up to Saturday's Super Rugby match against the Stormers at Newlands.
Botha got through the team's lineout session without any problems, but could not make it through the defensive session with his sore knee.
He called out to coach Frans Ludeke and when the mentor looked at him he shook his head, said "no" and walked off the field.
Team doctor Org Strauss confirmed afterwards that Botha would not be making his 100th appearance for the Bulls at Newlands.
"No, Bakkies is experiencing too much pain and we decided that it will be better to withdraw him. He should come into consideration for next week's game against the Sharks," said Strauss.
Strauss also had bad news about Fourie du Preez.
"He is doing very well with his rehabilitation and says he's ready to play, but we won't be taking any chances. He should also be ready to play against the Sharks," said Strauss.
Ludeke fortunately had a number of options at lock. He could move Danie Rossouw, who is excelling on the flank, back to the engine room to partner Victor Matfield again.
Rossouw also did not complete Wednesday's training session, but Strauss put it down to a back spasm.
Another option, and possibly the more likely one, is to hand Flip van der Merwe his first start this year.
The boy from the Kalahari, who celebrated his 26th birthday on Monday, has not been paired from the start with Matfield yet this year, but they have often finished games as a combination.
Van der Merwe is also in good form and will be straining at the leash to play at Newlands, where he made his Test debut for the Springboks.
Bulls backline coach Pieter Rossouw said on Tuesday that the team enjoys Newlands and games against the Stormers.
"I think it's still the big one in local rugby. Since my playing days matches between North and South have always been special occasions and Newlands is a fantastic field to play on because the atmosphere is incredible."
Rossouw was reluctant to believe the rumour that Peter Grant would not play for the Stormers, but believes it will be a big game for Kurt Coleman if that is the case.
"He has improved in every game, but is yet to play in front of a full stadium, so one will have to see whether he has the temperament to do it."
Rossouw believes the Bulls are a better equipped side than the one that lost to the Stormers on March 19 at Loftus.
"We have won five in a row now and the self-belief and confidence is there. A number of our senior players are also playing good rugby again, so I'm looking forward to the game immensely," he said.
He believes the Bulls will take a hiding if they are not at their best.
"The Stormers have only conceded 13 tries in 14 games, so we won't just pitch up and score tries. We will have to take every chance we get."
