Stegmann favoured at 6
Frans Ludeke has selected Deon Stegmann ahead of Derick Kuün for the Bulls’ Super 14 opener against the Cheetahs.
With the return of hooker Gary Botha from Harlequins, Kuün will make the transition back to his favoured position of openside flank this year – creating a selection conundrum for Ludeke as Stegmann has claimed the incumbent No 6 spot in recent seasons.
However, Stegmann will start ahead of Kuün, while the latter finds a place on the wood.
Meanwhile, Botha will earn his 50th cap for the Bulls when he starts at Vodacom Park after a two-year stint in England.
The Bulls – 15 Zane Kirchner, 14 Gerhard van den Heever, 13 Jaco Pretorius, 12 Wynand Olivier, 11 Francois Hougaard, 10 Morné Steyn, 9 Fourie du Preez, 8 Pierre Spies, 7 Pedrie Wannenburg, 6 Deon Stegmann, 5 Victor Matfield (c), 4 Danie Rossouw, 3 Werner Kruger, 2 Gary Botha, 1 Gurthrö Steenkamp.
Subs: 16 Bandise Maku, 17 Bees Roux, 18 Flip vd Merwe, 19 Derick Kuün, 20 Heini Adams, 21 Jacques-Louis Potgieter, 22 Stephan Dippenaar.
February 9th, 2010 at 6:54 pm
@justrugby: Thanks Justrugby for clearing that up. Not a bad animal to have as a mascot or symbol ! SAI is infantry ?
February 9th, 2010 at 6:58 pm
@rugbygenius:
Yip, loooong ago !!
February 9th, 2010 at 7:02 pm
Ratel, ratel, ratel!
February 9th, 2010 at 7:05 pm
@Rebels_Shark: Kuun’s move to hooker was for the benefit of the team not his career. One of those things he will look back on and regret. The Bull’s (understandably) put themselves ahead of the players future.
He will be playing Vodacom Cup once Potty comes back unless Pedrie goes on another coke binge.
February 9th, 2010 at 9:27 pm
@Oubaas2009:
#54
Don’t write him off just yet
He will come off the benchas first choice hooker and flank, if Stegman’s fetching style will be penalised more often than last season then Kuun will regain his place.
One thing I have to say about the Bulls coaching and management team is that they know what they are doing, the Cheetahs ditto, you can’t possibly say the same about the Stormers and the Sharks,
February 10th, 2010 at 11:16 am
@Hondo: Time will tell with Kuun.
Anyone who backs the Cheetahs management team just needs to look at their results in the S14 over the last 5 years.
Why do they produce the goods at CC level but can’t do the same at international S14 level? Same players? For me that says something about the coaching. I mean why rather try and peak for the CC than the S14?