Ludeke to stay in charge at the Vodacom Bulls
The Blue Bulls Company confirmed on Wednesday the extension of Vodacom Bulls Head Coach, Frans Ludeke’s tenure at Loftus Versfeld.
The 45-year old coach extended his contract with the BBC for another three years to 2016 and will continue in his role as Head Coach of the Vodacom Bulls Super Rugby franchise.
Ludeke took over as Head Coach at the Vodacom Bulls in 2008 and took the team to Vodacom Super Rugby titles in 2009 and 2010 and a play-off spot in 2012. He is one of only two South African coaches to have the Super Rugby title and the only one to achieve this twice.
Ludeke (87 Bulls, 24 Cats) is also the third most experienced Super Rugby coach ever and with this extension, should move past Robbie Deans (Crusaders, 120) and Ewen McKenzie (Reds & Waratahs, 127) while still at Loftus Versfeld.
As Vodacom Blue Bulls Currie Cup coach, Ludeke also took his team to the top in 2009, giving the Pretoria side a unique double that year.
Ludeke said it was an easy decision to stay with the Vodacom Bulls.
“It was certainly very humbling when asked to stay on in this capacity. I would like to believe that we managed to sustain the core values of rugby at Loftus Versfeld, where dedication and hard work, professionalism, passion and performance are part of the normal day of life.
“One can easily associate with the traditions of this proud union and team. The challenge will be to keep on honouring the drive to excellence and to sustain the winning culture and habit. I am grateful for the dedication and hard work by the support and management staff as well, as they make the job so much easier.”
No less than 16 players has become a Springbok under Ludeke’s reign and the coach is keen to have this tally extended.
“Coaching is certainly not only about winning trophies, but also about developing players and people and when their abilities are rewarded at national level; it is a feather in the cap to all concerned.”
Commenting on the news, CEO of the BBC, Barend van Graan, said:
“This is fantastic news for us as a union wanting to stay at the top. To achieve that, you need to have a great coach, one of the best in the business and I am happy that we managed to secure that. Frans have a track record with us, but not only that, he has extended the principles of performance and delivery and we have to admire that.”
•Ludeke also won the Vodacom Cup with the Golden Lions.
Ludeke bly aan by Vodacom Bulls
Die Blou Bulle Maatskappy (Edms) Bpk het Woensdag aangekondig dat die termyn van die Vodacom Bulls se hoof-afrigter, Frans Ludeke, verleng is.
Die 45-jarige breier het sy kontrak tot einde 2016 verleng en sal voortgaan in sy rol as hoofafrigter van die Vodacom Bulls franchise.
Ludeke het in 2008 die leisels by die Vodacom Bulls geneem en die span tot Vodacom Super Rugby kampioenskapstitels in 2009 en 2010 afgerig. Hy is een van slegs twee Suid-Afrikaanse afrigters om die Super Rugby titel te wen en die enigste wat dit twee keer kon regkry.
Hy is ook op twee na die mees ervare afrigter in die kompetisie (87 wedstryde Bulls, 24 wedstryde Cats) en kan met die verlenging van sy kontrak by Robbie Deans (Crusaders, 120) en Ewen McKenzie (Reds en Waratahs, 127) verbyskuif.
As afrigter van die Vodacom Blou Bulle het Ludeke ook in 2009 die Absa Curriebeker gewen om aan die span ‘n unieke dubbeldoor-oorwinning te gee.
Volgens Ludeke was dit ‘n maklike keuse om aan te bly.
“Dit was beslis ‘n baie nederige oomblik vir my toe ek gevra is om aan te bly as hoof-afrigter. Ek sou graag wou glo dat ons daarin geslaag het om die kernwaarders van rugby by Loftus Versfeld behoue te laat bly en selfs uit te brei en dat toewyding, harde werk, professionaliteit, passie en prestasie deel van die normale leefwyse van Loftus Versfeld kon bly.
“Mens kan jouself maklik met die tradisies van so ‘n trotse unie en span vereenselwig. Die opwinding en uitdaging lê daarin dat ons hierdie strewe na uitnemendheid moet eer en die wenkultuur en gewoontes behou. Ek is dankbaar vir die ondersteuning van die bestuur- en afrigtingspan, want hulle maak die taak maklik en aangenaam,” het Ludeke gesê.
Nie minder nie as 16 spelers het onder Ludeke se vaandel Springbok geword, iets wat die breier meer van wil sien.
“Afrigting gaan nie net daaroor om trofeë te wen nie, maar ook oor die ontwikkeling van spelers en mense en as hulle vermoeëns op ‘n hoer vlak erken word, is dit ‘n regmerkie vir almal hier wat betrokke is.”
Die BBM se bedryfshoof, Barend van Graan, was verheug oor Ludeke se besluit.
“Dit is fantastiese nuus vir ons. Vir ‘n unie soos ons met groot ambisie om toonaangewend te wees, is ‘n uitstekende afrigter ‘n ononderhandelbare bestandeel. Ek is oortuig dat ons in Frans een van die beste afrigters in die wêreld het en sy vertoningslys saam met die Vodacom Bulls en Vodacom Blou Bulle bewys dit. Sy span presteer op die veld en hy het ‘n werksetiek en kultuur gehandhaaf waar prestasie ‘n deurslaggewende maatstaf is. Jy moet jou hoed lig vir wat hy hier vermag het.”
•Ludeke het ook die Vodacombeker as afrigter van die Goue Leeus gewen.
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