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Bulls confirm signing of du Plessis and name Currie Cup final team

(Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

The Bulls have given themselves a pre-Currie Cup final boost by confirming the signing of veteran Springboks hooker Bismarck du Plessis following a six-year stint in France with Montpellier. The recruitment of the 37-year-old is no surprise as the deal had been speculated on in recent months. 

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However, the arrival of du Plessis will be important for the Bulls as they prepare to take part in the United Rugby Championship for the first time, participation that begins with a September 25 Aviva Stadium fixture away to repeat PRO14 champions Leinster.  

A World Cup winner in 2007, du Plessis earned 79 Springboks caps in a Test career that lasted until 2015 before he headed away to France to play in the Top 14. He began his professional career in South Africa at the Cheetahs before spending a decade at the Sharks.

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Sharks coach Sean Everitt talks Currie Cup final tactics

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Sharks coach Sean Everitt talks Currie Cup final tactics

Having signed off at Montpellier as a Challenge Cup winner following last May’s victory over Leicester in London, he is now set to be a guiding light to the youngsters coming through at the Bulls. 

“We are really pleased to have secured Bismarck’s signature,” enthused Jake White, their director of rugby. “Bismarck is the calibre of player we want here at Loftus – somebody who has a lot to offer on the field of play, and also vast experience that he can impart on the youngsters. There is no doubt that guys like Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Joe van Zyl, Johan Grobbelaar and Schalk Erasmus will gain plenty from his presence.”

Before heading to Ireland to begin a new era for the Bulls following the departure of the South African franchises from Super Rugby, they will host the Sharks this Saturday at Loftus in a Currie Cup decider where they have made two changes to their XV following last weekend’s semi-final win over Western Province. 

With Johan Goosen unavailable, Chris Smith has been picked at out-half in their sole backline change while Joe van Zyl gets the nod at hooker, replacing Schalk Erasmus. “The players have proven to be consistent over the past few weeks in their performances, so it is only natural that we continue with that consistency into this all-important final,” added White.

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BULLS (vs Sharks, Saturday) 
15. David Kriel (Betway Centurion)
14. Cornal Hendricks (Northam)
13. Lionel Mapoe (Pretoria)
12. Harold Vorster (Northam)
11. Madosh Tambwe (Pretoria)
10. Chris Smith (Harlequins)
9. Zak Burger (Tuine)
8. Elrigh Louw (FNB Tuks)
7. Arno Botha (ABE Midas Naka Bulle)
6. Marcell Coetzee (ABE Midas Naka Bulle) – Captain
5. Ruan Nortje (ABE Midas Naka Bulle)
4. Janko Swanepoel (Pretoria)
3. Mornay Smith (Betway Centurion)
2. Joe van Zyl (Harlequins)
1. Gerhard Steenekamp (ABE Midas Naka Bulle)
Replacements:
16. Jan-Hendrik Wessels (U20)
17. Simphiwe Matanzima (ABE Midas Naka Bulle)
18. Jacques van Rooyen (Tuine)
19. Jacques du Plessis (FNB Tuks)
20. WJ Steenkamp (Tuine)
21. Keagan Johannes (FNB Tuks)
22. Ruan Combrinck (Tuine) / David Coetzer (FNB Tuks)
23. Stravino Jacobs (Harlequins)

24. Reinhardt Ludwig (U20)
25. Jaco Labuschagne (Pretoria)
26. Marco Jansen van Vuren (Pretoria)
27. David Coetzer (FNB Tuks)
28. Stedman Gans (Northam)
29. Schalk Erasmus (Tuine)

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S
Spew_81 1 hour ago
'He wants players to be able to play four positions': Former All Black critiques Robertson's strategy

I’m not making it up regarding to Hansen’s intentions for the 10 jersey for the All Blacks in regards to McKenzie.


Lima Sopoaga retired in 2020.


McKenzie started in the third All Blacks vs France test in Dunedin in 2018. Hansen started McKenzie at 10 and put Mo’unga on the bench: Damian McKenzie's 24 point game! + Rieko Ioane hat trick: All Blacks vs France 2018 » allblacks.com.


Or see this article just before the match: Damian McKenzie takes hold of All Blacks No 10 jersey while Richie Mo’unga looms large | Stuff.


Damian is coming along nicely," Hansen told All Blacks TV. "He has shown he can play genuine test rugby as a fullback and the other night he put in a good stint at first-five for us.”


Hansen was giving Mo’unga a raw deal at the same time:


Hansen has indicated that Mo'unga will get a decent amount of game time, despite missing out on a starting spot. "Richie will get his shot off the bench,” said Hansen. "He has a strong ability to drive the team when he has been given an opportunity, so we are extremely confident he can do the job."


Mo’unga only got a real look in when McKenzie got badly injured and couldn’t make RWC 2019.


Hansen wanted B Barrett at 10 and saw McKenzie as the next option with Mo’unga in third place, in case of injury.

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J
JW 2 hours ago
'He wants players to be able to play four positions': Former All Black critiques Robertson's strategy

Yeah I agree Hansen loved Beaudy way too much. Don’t see what that has to do with your statement of Dmac though.


I think you’re doing that thing where you make stuff up to fit the current picture you’re trying to paint.

But Hansen clearly wanted McKenzie at 15 (probably to take over at 10 later, like B Barrett did). So Cruden was on the outer.

Dmac had never been used as a starting 10 at any level by the point Lima had retired. Mo’unga took over, not Dmac.


Cruden was given the 10 jersey post 2015. He got injured in his second game, lost his jersey after that, but was still second to Barrett. Yes, many thought he should have been given it back (and that he should have got it back straight qaway), but Dmac wasn’t even in the picture at this point so you’re completly off track with those statements you’ve made.


That was the only occasion Dmac played 10, he was always at 15 in that period you mention.

After Cruden as dropped, Mo’unga was the only ‘knock out game’ test 10 New Zealand had. I guess Hansen sold them the idea that McKenzie was the way forward at 10, while Foster thought he could make B Barrett into ‘knock out game’ test 10? Who knows the thought process that went on.


Good job they cleaned the Board out.

Cruden was the first five version of Ethan Blackadder, he was not dropped, he couldn’t regain his place after injury and he said that his injuries were a big factor in leaving.


Hansen had nothing to do with McKenzie at 10.


That you comment about the board in this discussion is enlightening Spew!


Nothing you’ve replied with contradicts when I said about the inaccuracy of those highlighted statements. Bias is sending you waaay off track.


The facet I could agree on (not that you’ve really made the point) would be that by delaying bringing Mo’unga into the side, and instead continuing with Lima (or Barrett if you want to make Lima 1 and Richie 2), he cut short Richies prep for RWC 2019. It would indeed be a lot of pressure to handle being given the 10 jersey a few months out from a WC.


And ofc the old clicks penchants for dual playmakers and thinking Barrett can be a 10 (you’re preaching to the choir, just with bad basis of facts).

65 Go to comments
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