Vodacom Bulls brings in Francois Venter and Jano Vermaak in Team for Battle with DHL Stormers

Jul 10 • General News, Super Rugby, Super Rugby News • 4093 Views • Comments Off on Vodacom Bulls brings in Francois Venter and Jano Vermaak in Team for Battle with DHL Stormers

Vodacom Bulls coach Frans Ludeke picked Francois Venter to replace injured midfielder Jan Serfontein when he named his side to take on the DHL Stormers at Newlands on Saturday.
Serfontein injured his knee in the Bulls win over The Sharks last week.
Venter, who came off the bench earlier in the season when the Bulls beat the Stormers 22-17 at Loftus Versfeld, has recovered from a groin operation and will be rearing to go.
Jano Vermaak is also back in the number nine jumper following Francois Hougaard’s ankle injury and the 102-match veteran’s place on the bench will be taken by Rudy Paige.
The suspension of Wilhelm Steenkamp opened the door for 19 year old Jacques du Plessis, who could make his debut for the Vodacom Bulls after he was included as replacement-lock.
“We have one more box to tick to reach our goal of finishing top of the log after regular play,” Ludeke said on Wednesday.
“I am pleased to include someone like Swys (Venter) as he has proved himself at this level and will be itching to play after a successful recovery from his groin operation. We are all very excited for Jacques. He has been training with us all season and he will be very keen to use this opportunity. Jano’s form has earned him a test cap this season, so he will be keen to stamp his authority on the match,” Ludeke said.
According to Vodacom Bulls captain, Dewald Potgieter, his team will have to make a step-up in their approach and execution if they want to beat the Stormers and finish the season top of the log.
“We did not react well in certain situations when placed under pressure last weekend and will have to improve on that. The Stormers have momentum and the home crowd on their side and this being the big North/South derby we will have to front up. It is fair to say that this will be our biggest test this season.”

The Vodacom Bulls team (with Super Rugby caps) is: Zane Kirchner (80), Akona Ndungane (94), JJ Engelbrecht (31), Francois Venter (10), Bjorn Basson (53), Morné Steyn (121), Jano Vermaak (102), Dewald Potgieter (65, c), Jacques Potgieter (21), Deon Stegmann (73), Grant Hattingh (19), Flip van der Merwe (61), Werner Kruger (90), Chiliboy Ralepelle (67), Dean Greyling (36). Replacements: Callie Visagie (21), Frik Kirsten (29), Morné Mellet (10), Jacques du Plessis (0), Jono Ross (2), Rudy Paige (3), Jürgen Visser (10).

Milestones:
•Morné Steyn will extend his record as most capped Vodacom Bulls player ever to 122 matches. He can also extend his South African points’ records total (1423), number of penalties (267), conversions (241) and dropped goals (25).
•Zane Kirchner, Akona Ndungane and Werner Kruger will extend the franchise record for appearances at fullback, wing and prop.
•Should he take to the field, Jacques du Plessis will make his Vodacom Super Rugby debut.

Vodacom Bulls kies Venter, Vermaak
Die Vodacom Bulls-afrigter Frans Ludeke het Francois Venter gekies om die beseerde Jan Serfontein te vervang in die span wat Saterdag op Nuweland teen die DHL Stormers speel. Serfontein het ‘n kniebesering.

Ludeke moes ook Francois Hougaard (enkelbesering) op skrumskakel vervang. Jano Vermaak begin in die nommernegetrui en sy plek as plaasvervanger word deur Rudy Paige ingeneem. Die skorsing van Wilhelm Steenkamp beteken ‘n moontlike debuut vir Jacques du Plessis, nà die 19-jarige as plaasvervanger-slot ingesluit is.

“Ons het nog een regmerkie om te maak om ons doelwit te bereik om die ligafase bo-aan die punteleer klaar te maak,” het Ludeke Woensdag gesê.
“Dit is lekker om iemand soos Swys (Venter) terug te hê, want hy het homself al op diè vlak onderskei. Hy sal gretig wees om weer te speel na sy suksesvolle lies-operasie. Jano se terugkeer bring weer ‘n ander energie. Sy spelpeil het hom vanjaar ‘n Bok gemaak en hy sal gretig wees om sy merk op die spel af te druk. Almal is baie bly oor Jacques. Hy oefen al die hele seisoen saam met ons en sal gretig wees om die kans te gebruik,” glo Ludeke.
Die Vodacom Bulls-kaptein, Dewald Potgieter, het gesê sy span sal hulle benadering en toepassing moet verbeter as hulle die Stormers wil klop en bo-aan die punteleer klaarmaak.
“Ons het nie afgelope Saterdag baie goed reageer toe sekere aspekte van ons spel onder druk geplaas is nie. Dit sal moet verbeter. Die Stormers het momentum en die tuisskare aan hulle kant. Voeg daarby die gebruiklike Noord/Suid derby en ek dink dit is veilig om te voorspel dat hierdie ons grootste uitdaging van die seisoen gaan wees.”

Die Vodacom Bulls se span (met getal Super Rugby-wedstryde) is: Zane Kirchner (80), Akona Ndungane (94), JJ Engelbrecht (31), Francois Venter (10), Bjorn Basson (53), Morné Steyn (121), Jano Vermaak (102), Dewald Potgieter (65, c), Jacques Potgieter (21), Deon Stegmann (73), Grant Hattingh (19), Flip van der Merwe (61), Werner Kruger (90), Chiliboy Ralepelle (67), Dean Greyling (36). Plaasvervangers: Callie Visagie (21), Frik Kirsten (29), Morné Mellet (10), Jacques du Plessis (0), Jono Ross (2), Rudy Paige (3), Jürgen Visser (10).

Mylpale:
•Morné Steyn sal sy rekord as mees ervare Bulls-speler van alle tye verder verbeter in sy 122ste wedstryd. Sy punterekords wat verbeter kan word is: Getal punte (1423), strafdoele (267), doelskoppe (241) en skepdoele (25).
•Zane Kirchner, Akona Ndungane en Werner Kruger verbeter die franchiserekord vir verskynings as heelagter, vleuel en stut.
•As hy speelkans kry sal Jacques du Plessis sy Vodacom Super Rugby debuut maak.