Mastriet, Potgieter added to Vodacom Bulls to face Cell C Sharks

Mar 19 • General News, Super Rugby • 1874 Views • Comments Off on Mastriet, Potgieter added to Vodacom Bulls to face Cell C Sharks

Vodacom Bulls coach Frans Ludeke named Sampie Mastriet on the wing and Dewald Potgieter as no 8 in his team to play Cell C Sharks at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.

Both players will make their first appearance in the Vodacom Super Rugby tournament this year. Mastriet comes into the team in place of Akona Ndungane after a highly productive stint with the Springbok Sevens team and Potgieter joined up with the team following a season with his Japanese club Yamaha Jubilo and will take the place of Jono Ross.

Ndungane is still on humanitarian leave following the passing of his father last week, whilst Ludeke opted for the 66 Super Rugby caps experience of Potgieter at the base of the scrum.

Ross moves the bench, with Jacques Engelbrecht missing out in the only other change to the match 23.

“We have always maintained that you need a squad to win this competition and I am pretty please about the depth we have in ours,” Ludeke said.

“Sampie has shown tremendous form with the Springbok Sevens team and brings a lot of pace into the backline and Dewald has test match experience on top of being part of our system for many years. It is very pleasing to have them in the squad.”

Vodacom Bulls captain Flip van der Merwe said the recent upsurge in form is something the team is keen to continue with.

“Our first two away outings were pretty disappointing and everyone stepped up after that. We are keen to continue with the positive way we performed against the Lions and Blues. The Sharks are not topping the log for nothing, but we have prepared well for this one. We will be ready,” Van der Merwe said.

The team (with Super Rugby caps) is: Jurgen Visser (15), Sampie Mastriet (1), JJ Engelbrecht (37), Jan Serfontein (16), Bjorn Basson (59), Jacques-Louis Potgieter (44), Francois Hougaard (60), Dewald Potgieter (66), Jacques du Plessis (5), Deon Stegmann (76), Victor Matfield (128), Flip van der Merwe (67, c), Werner Kruger (96), Callie Visagie (27), Dean Greyling (42). Replacements: Bongi Mbonambi (5), Morné Mellett (13), Marcel van der Merwe (7), Paul Willemse (8), Jono Ross (8), Piet van Zyl (35), Handré Pollard (3), Ulrich Beyers (4).

Milestones:

· Victor Matfield will extend his South African record for Vodacom Super Rugby appearances in the competition.
· Francois Hougaard is one try away from 100 Vodacom Super Rugby points.

Mastriet, Potgieter eerste keer ingespan teen Cell C Sharks

Die Vodacom Bulls afrigter Frans Ludeke het Sampie Mastriet en Dewald Potgieter in sy span ingesluit wat Saterdag op Loftus Versfeld teen Cell C Sharks speel.

Dit sal albei se eerste verskyning in vanjaar se Vodacom Super Rugby kompetisie wees.

Mastriet, wat in Akona Ndungane se plek vleuel speel, het die laaste paar maande groot sukses saam met die Springbok Sewesspan gesmaak en Potgieter is weer terug in die Bulkraal na ‘n seisoen saam met sy Japanese klub, Yamaha Jubilo. Hy vervang Jono Ross.

Ndungane is nog met menslikheidsverlof na die afsterwe van sy vader, terwyl Ludeke die ervaring van 66 Super-wedstryde van Potgieter op agsteman wil benut.

Ross skuif na die plaasvervangerbank in die plek van Jacques Engelbrecht, in die enigste ander verandering aan die wedstrydgroep wat teen die Blues gewen het.

“Ons glo vas dat jy ‘n sterk groep vol diepte moet he as jy die kompetisie wil wen, iets wat ek glo hierdie groep nou het,” meen Ludeke.

“Sampie het uitstekende spelpeil vir die Springbok Sewes getoon en Dewald is nie net iemand met toetservaring nie, hy is ook al jare deel van die Bulls-strukture en weet wat op hierdie vlak gedoen moet word.”

Die Vodacom Bulls se kaptein, Flip van der Merwe, het gesê die huidige spelpeil in die span, wat seges oor die Lions en Blues verseker het, is iets waarmee hulle wil volhou.

“Almal was teleurgesteld oor daardie eerste twee vertonings, maar dit is nou agter ons. Die manier waarop ons in die laaste twee wedstryde gespeel het, wys heelwat meer van ons vermoe en dit is waarop ons wil uitbrei en verbeter. Die Sharks is nie verniet bo-aan die punteleer nie, maar ons het goed voorberei vir die een en sal slaggereed wees,” het hy gesê.

Die span (met getal Super-wedstryde) is: Jurgen Visser (15), Sampie Mastriet (1), JJ Engelbrecht (37), Jan Serfontein (16), Bjorn Basson (59), Jacques-Louis Potgieter (44), Francois Hougaard (60), Dewald Potgieter (66), Jacques du Plessis (5), Deon Stegmann (76), Victor Matfield (128), Flip van der Merwe (67, c), Werner Kruger (96), Callie Visagie (27), Dean Greyling (42). Plaasvervangers: Bongi Mbonambi (5), Morné Mellett (13), Marcel van der Merwe (7), Paul Willemse (8), Jono Ross (8), Piet van Zyl (35), Handré Pollard (3), Ulrich Beyers (4).

Mylpale:

· Victor Matfield sal die Suid-Afrikaanse rekord vir verskynings in die Vodacom Super Rugby kompetisie verder verbeter.
· Francois Hougaard kort een drie om 100 Vodacom Super Rugby punte aan te teken.