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Nelspruit – The popular line amongst trade unions is that an injury to one is an injury to all. For the Bulls’ Dewald Potgieter, the road to the Springbok team is based on the same principle.
WIN: Neo Africa Tri-Series tickets
“If the team does well, the individuals are often rewarded. I have no doubt that the Bulls’ good performances in recent seasons contributed to my inclusion in the Springbok team.
“A successful Super Rugby campaign by the Bulls will therefore give a lot of us the opportunity of making the World Cup squad,” the 23-year-old flank said at the launch of the Bulls’ pre-season match against a Premier XV.
“If every guy does his bit and believes in what the team does, success will follow. And if the team is successful, individuals are rewarded. The advantage of the Bulls is that everybody buys into what we do, and how to win games. So it’s a win-win situation for the team and players,” he said.
Potgieter was a surprise omission from the Bok touring squad in November last year.
“It has motivated me to work harder. Fourie du Preez and I put in added training sessions and I can say in all honesty that I’m fitter than ever before. There are also no injury niggles, so I’m really looking forward to what may be a special year for the Bulls.”
There are milestones ahead for a number of players and a hat-trick of Super Rugby titles provides further motivation.
On top of that, at least fifteen Bulls can make the World Cup squad.
Potgieter said that the Bulls would remain focused on winning the competition.
“It’s going to be a long tournament and good planning is necessary. Fortunately the Bulls have a brilliant brains trust, and I think we are on the right track.”
Many experts believes the derby games will be the most important part of the tournament, but Potgieter pointed out that a good tour of Australia and New Zealand may still be decisive.
“The goal will be to finish first or second, because nobody wants to get on a long flight for a semifinal. The derbies are definitely a new dimension in the tournament, but you still have to do well in your tour games.”
That tour will only be at the end of March.
Before then, the Southern Kings have to be played in Port Elizabeth next week, and then the final warm-up game will be played at the Mbombela Stadium on 5 February.
“It’s an important game for us, because it always helps to start a series with some game time knowing that you are prepared,” said Potgieter.
Tickets for the game against the Premier XV are available at Computicket.
Nelspruit – The popular line amongst trade unions is that an injury to one is an injury to all. For the Bulls’ Dewald Potgieter, the road to the Springbok team is based on the same principle.
WIN: Neo Africa Tri-Series tickets
“If the team does well, the individuals are often rewarded. I have no doubt that the Bulls’ good performances in recent seasons contributed to my inclusion in the Springbok team.
“A successful Super Rugby campaign by the Bulls will therefore give a lot of us the opportunity of making the World Cup squad,” the 23-year-old flank said at the launch of the Bulls’ pre-season match against a Premier XV.
“If every guy does his bit and believes in what the team does, success will follow. And if the team is successful, individuals are rewarded. The advantage of the Bulls is that everybody buys into what we do, and how to win games. So it’s a win-win situation for the team and players,” he said.
Potgieter was a surprise omission from the Bok touring squad in November last year.
“It has motivated me to work harder. Fourie du Preez and I put in added training sessions and I can say in all honesty that I’m fitter than ever before. There are also no injury niggles, so I’m really looking forward to what may be a special year for the Bulls.”
There are milestones ahead for a number of players and a hat-trick of Super Rugby titles provides further motivation.
On top of that, at least fifteen Bulls can make the World Cup squad.
Potgieter said that the Bulls would remain focused on winning the competition.
“It’s going to be a long tournament and good planning is necessary. Fortunately the Bulls have a brilliant brains trust, and I think we are on the right track.”
Many experts believes the derby games will be the most important part of the tournament, but Potgieter pointed out that a good tour of Australia and New Zealand may still be decisive.
“The goal will be to finish first or second, because nobody wants to get on a long flight for a semifinal. The derbies are definitely a new dimension in the tournament, but you still have to do well in your tour games.”
That tour will only be at the end of March.
Before then, the Southern Kings have to be played in Port Elizabeth next week, and then the final warm-up game will be played at the Mbombela Stadium on 5 February.
“It’s an important game for us, because it always helps to start a series with some game time knowing that you are prepared,” said Potgieter.
Tickets for the game against the Premier XV are available at Computicket.
