Young and Hungry…The Vodacom Blue Bulls Under19 squad for 2017
The start of a new year is always an exciting time at Loftus Versfeld, as players and staff return from a much-needed rest over the festive period, and the hype of a new season starts to take over. It’s also a time for welcoming young new talent as the Vodacom Blue Bulls orientate another fresh group of U19 players.
On Wednesday 11 January, the #BullsFamilyproudly opened their arms at Loftus in welcoming a group of 55 new recruits that will don the light blue jersey in 2017 and take the first steps of their professional rugby careers.
Dewey Swartbooi, who in 2016 filled the role of backline coach for this division, will take the reigns as head coach this season. He also served a coaching tenure at Boland and played as a tough-as-nails and hard running centre for the Blue Bulls, Lions, Cheetahs and Boland during his career. His experience both as a player and as a coach, coupled with his calm temperament and exciting way of thinking will no doubt be a massive attribute to this team.
The Orientation ceremony was held at Loftus Versfeld and was also attended by proud parents and family members, together with senior members of the coaching and management team.
Xander Janse van Rensburg, high performance manager of the Blue Blues Company expressed his excitement about this group: “The Vodacom Blue Bulls have always placed a massive emphasis on building players through the junior system, and this year will be no different, as many of these young men are expected to grow in leaps and bounds over the next few months. We are excited about this group and truly believe that we have a well-balanced squad that will do us and themselves proud.”
NOTE: Our thoughts and condolences go out to Ngonidzashe Moyo, one of the contracted players in the under 19 group, and the entire Moyo family on the passing of three of their family members.
The Vodacom Blue Bulls Under19 squad:
| Forwards |
| Etienne Janeke |
| Cabous Eloff |
| Winrich Kennedy |
| Luke Fortuin |
| Werner Fourie |
| Hendrik Prinsloo |
| Marco Fuhri |
| Mila Bomela |
| Thian du Randt |
| Matthew Wessels |
| Andre vd Merwe |
| Mornay Smith |
| Dewald Maritz |
| Ngonie Moyo |
| Thando Kambule |
| JJ Scheepers |
| Christoff Mulder |
| Ruan Nortje |
| KP de Jager |
| Martin Raath |
| Raymond Nell |
| JC Pretorius |
| Pieter Diergaardt |
| Prince Rivaldo Gino Gaoseb |
| Ryno Pieterse |
| Ewart Potgieter |
| Justin Levendal |
| Mihlali Stamper |
| Durang Athembe |
| Kwezi Mafu |
| Hanru Sirgel |
| BACKS |
| Ginther Smuts |
| Tiaan Coetzee |
| Jay-C Cornel Olivier |
| Richman Gorra |
| Eduan Smit |
| Ruan de Swardt |
| Andre Kok |
| Sergio Kasper |
| Theo Boshoff (UTILITY) |
| Henry Pike |
| Zandre Kruger |
| Juan-Carlo Kleynhans |
| Wian van Niekerk |
| Stefan Coetzee |
| Stephan Moolman |
| Maxwell Osborne |
| Luke Jansen |
| Chad Zavier Plato |
| Lee-Irvin Andries |
| Happiness Peterson |
| Damian Bonaparte (UTILITY) |
| Jerome Bossr (UTILITY) |
| Litha Nkula |
| Christiaan Strydom (UTILITY) |
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