Life after Duane rosy for Bulls as Goosen, Bismarck fit for URC

FIRSTLY, the good news for Bulls fans – Johan Goosen has recovered from Covid-19 and will be on the plane with the team to Europe this evening for their four-match United Rugby Championship tour.

The star flyhalf missed the Currie Cup final victory over the Sharks last Saturday, and recovered on his farm in the Eastern Cape.

But Goosen rejoined the squad at Loftus Versfeld yesterday, and the Bulls posted a picture on their social media channels showing the No 10 drinking from the golden trophy.

More importantly for coach Jake White, though, is that the 13-cap Bok will be on the plane tonight to Europe ahead of next Saturday’s first match on tour against Leinster in Dublin.

In addition, life after Duane Vermeulen doesn’t look too bad, considering the strength of the 37-man squad. While the Bok No 8 is in Australia and was never going to feature in the four-match trip, his absence would obviously leave a dent for the rest of the season after he signed a two-year deal with Northern Ireland club Ulster.

Vermeulen will link up with his new side at the conclusion of the Bok tour to Europe in November.

Elrigh Louw has been outstanding at No 8 when filling in for Vermeulen in the Currie Cup, but he will face a serious test of his abilities at the back of the scrum against seasoned Test players in this competition.

Other loose forwards such as Arno

Botha, Muller Uys and promising youngster WJ Steenkamp can all play at No 8 as well, while captain Marcell Coetzee starred there for Ulster in PRO Rugby too.

White was able to recall a number of stalwarts for the first four matches who have recovered from long-term injuries. In the pack, locks Sintu Manjezi

and Walt Steenkamp will bolster the second-row resources, while wing Kurt-lee Arendse returns to add some spark out wide.

Veteran Bok Bismarck du Plessis is also in the group after signing for the Bulls this week, and that has resulted in young front-rower Jan-hendrik Wessels moving back to prop after impressing as a hooker in the Currie Cup.

Another recent recruit, Jacques du Plessis, will also be more in tune with the players and play a greater role as a No 4 lock and blindside in what will be familiar European conditions, following a lengthy spell at French side Montpellier.

“We have a long and tough URC season ahead, and it will be important how we manage our squad going forward,” White said in a statement yesterday.

“We are looking forward to a highly competitive opening four fixtures against Leinster, Connacht, Cardiff and Edinburgh – all quality opposition. All participating teams will be looking to start the season on a high note, and it is no different for us.”

BULLS TOUR SQUAD

Props: Lizo Gqoboka, Gerhard Steenekamp, Simphiwe Matanzima, Janhendrik Wessels, Mornay Smith, Jacques van Rooyen, Robert Hunt

Hookers: Bismarck du Plessis, Joe van Zyl, Schalk Erasmus, Sidney Tobias

Locks: Walt Steenkamp, Sintu Manjezi, Ruan Nortjé, Janko Swanepoel, Reinhardt Ludwig

Loose forwards: Marcell Coetzee (captain), Arno Botha, Elrigh Louw, Jacques du Plessis, WJ Steenkamp, Muller Uys

Scrumhalves: Zak Burger, Embrose Papier, Keagan Johannes, Marco Jansen van Vuren

Flyhalves: Johan Goosen, Chris Smith

Centres: Cornal Hendricks, Harold Vorster, Lionel Mapoe, Stedman Gans

Wings: Madosh Tambwe, Stravino Jacobs, Kurt-lee Arendse

Fullbacks: David Kriel, Ruan Combrinck