Johannesburg - The Vodacom Bulls are set to get a triple boost ahead of Saturday’s Vodacom Super Rugby game against the DHL Stormers, as the fitness tests for their three stars went well.
The Bulls will name their squad just after lunch-time on Wednesday, but all indications are that the two Bothas – lock Bakkies and hooker Gary, and mecurial utility back Francois Hougaard - will all return to the match 22 for the game.
Bakkies Botha missed the Highlanders game with a bruised foot, and he was sorely missed, both in the lineout and in the loose by the Bulls in their shock loss at Loftus Versfeld.
Hougaard’s stress fracture in his foot has healed sufficiently and all three players came through the first two training sessions of the week unscathed – with hooker Botha and Hougaard passing a fitness test “with flying colours.”
“We will make that decision but the players came through with flying colours,” coach Frans Ludeke said, “We tried to test them thoroughly and put extra strain on them and they were fine, so hopefully nothing changes and they will be alright for Saturday’s game.”
Chiliboy Ralepelle is set to keep his place in the starting line-up, with Botha covering the position on the bench. Hougaard will be understudy to Fourie du Preez, but the Bulls are set to name a five-two bench, with Hougaard able to cover wing as well. This will give them the luxury of naming both Springboks Danie Rossouw and Flip van der Merwe as impact players on the bench.
Ludeke said he was looking forward to a better performance than their game against the Highlanders. “We’ve put that game behind us and closed the door on it now, and obviously we want to see that the problems we had in that game have been sorted out in this one,” the coach added.
“The break we had was definitely a good one, and the mood is great in the camp at the moment, the vibe is positive and there is a renewed energy. The break gave us that boost. We believe this will take us into the game and create some opportunities for us.
“We won’t talk about anything else, but the team performance. We definitely need a team effort at the moment.”