Latest news with #CananMoodie
The South African
3 days ago
- Sport
- The South African
URC quarter-final: Bulls v Edinburgh
The Bulls – URC runners up in 2022 and 2024 – will secure themselves a home semi-final if they emerge victorious against Edinburgh, which will fuel their motivation immensely as they cast an eye further ahead by attempting to repeat the double by advancing to the Grand Final for the second season in a row. Kick off for their quarter-final on Saturday is at 13:30. Teams: Bulls: 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Canan Moodie, 13 David Kriel, 12 Harold Vorster, 11 Sebastian De Klerk, 10 Keagan Johannes, 9 Embrose Papier, 8 Cameron Hanekom, 7 Ruan Nortje (c), 6 Marcell Coetzee, 5 JF van Heerden, 4 Cobus Wiese, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 1 Jan-Hendrik Wessels Replacements: 16 Akker van der Merwe, 17 Simphiwe Matanzima, 18 Mornay Smith, 19 Jannes Kirsten, 20 Marco van Staden, 21 Zak Burger, 22 Stedman Gans, 23 Devon Williams Edinburgh: 15 Wes Goosen, 14 Darcy Graham, 13 Matt Currie, 12 James Lang, 11 Harry Paterson, 10 Ross Thompson, 9 Ali Price, 8 Magnus Bradbury (c), 7 Hamish Watson, 6 Jamie Ritchie, 5 Sam Skinner, 4 Marshall Sykes, 3 D'arcy Rae, 2 Ewan Ashman, 1 Pierre Schoeman Replacements: 16 Paddy Harrison, 17 Boan Venter, 18 Javan Sebastian, 19 Liam McConnell, 20 Ben Muncaster, 21 Conor McAlpine, 22 Ben Healy, 23 Mark Bennett The match-up between the Bulls and Edinburgh is expected to be an entertaining affair, given the close contest between the sides early in the season, where the Pretoria outfit emerged 22-16 victors at home in the second round, before the Scots turned the tables with a 34-28 win in the EPCR Challenge Cup quarter-final. With seven straight URC victories to their name and the team having suffered only four defeats this season, the Bulls will enter the clash as favourites. However, they will be wary of underestimating Edinburgh, who – over-and-above from knocking them out of the EPCR Challenge Cup – have had a fair run of form of late, losing only one of their last five matches, while one ended in a draw. In fact, their only defeat in this series of events was against the Sharks in Durban by one point, but that said, they will have to enter the match strong-willed to break their disappointing away-win record, which shows six defeats in nine outings. In stark contrast, the Bulls have suffered only one home defeat in the competition this season, and adding to this, they have won six more matches than the Scots in the pool stages, and have a better record on attack and defence. This, however, will undoubtedly fire up Edinburgh. Bulls v Edinburgh Date: Saturday, 31 MayVenue: Loftus Versfeld, PretoriaSA Time: 13h30Referee: Adam Jones TV: SuperSport
IOL News
5 days ago
- Sport
- IOL News
Jake White has some big calls to make as Bulls wary of Edinburgh ‘momentum' for URC quarter-finals
Should Canan Moodie start at wing or outside centre for the Bulls against Edinburgh? Photo: BackpagePix Image: Backpagepix The Bulls have rotated their playing squads often during the season, but now it's about picking the best possible starting XV and match-23 for Saturday's United Rugby Championship quarter-final against Edinburgh at Loftus Versfeld (1.30pm start). Coach Jake White will announce his team on Friday afternoon, and he has a number of major decisions to make to ensure that his team get off to a necessary flying start against the plucky Scottish club. It was a bit of a surprise to see a virtual full-strength side in their last clash against the Dragons on May 17, with only tighthead prop Wilco Louw and flanks Marcell Coetzee – who was on the bench – and Marco van Staden rested from the regular starters. The first contentious area that White must consider is the back-three. Willie le Roux, Sebastian de Klerk and Sergeal Petersen were starters against the bottom-side Dragons, with Canan Moodie operating at outside centre, with David Kriel at No 12. What about Devon Williams? The experienced former Stormers and Western Province flyer has been excellent all season long, and has added a dynamic edge to the Bulls attack with his pace out wide and big left kicking boot. On form, he deserves to start against Edinburgh, either at fullback or left wing. White is likely to opt for veteran Le Roux at No 15, but then Williams should wear the No 11 jersey. That decision could be influenced by whether Moodie continues at outside centre, where Stedman Gans has also been overlooked despite impressing whenever he does get some game-time. Considering Edinburgh have two Scotland Test wings in Duhan van der Merwe and Darcy Graham, perhaps Moodie should return to right wing, with Williams on the left and Le Roux at fullback. The make-up of the loose trio is also up for debate. White is likely to opt for Cameron Hanekom at No 8, captain Ruan Nortjé at blindside flank and Coetzee at openside – but is that the ideal combination? Nortjé hasn't done badly at No 7, but he is an out-and-out Springbok No 5 lock, and should be calling the shots from that position in the lineouts against what will be a competitive Edinburgh pack. Youngster JF van Heerden has done well in his debut full season of senior rugby, but perhaps he could shift to No 4, as Cobus Wiese could do a worthwhile job as a No 7 'bruiser' with his hard carries and big hits. It is understood that Nizaam Carr is also over his hamstring injury, and his experience and attacking skills would be invaluable off the bench in the final quarter, where he edges out Van Staden for flexibility and leadership. Johan Grobbelaar and Akker van der Merwe have rotated regularly at hooker, but the Bulls' best chance of making that fast start is for Van der Merwe to wear the No 2 jersey and impose himself physically with his lung-busting runs and control at the back of those driving mauls. The Bulls pack must get their scrum going early on, where Wilco Louw will want to make up for a difficult night in the Challenge Cup quarter-final, where Edinburgh utilised every trick in the book to disrupt the Pretoria side's set-piece. 'I know Sean (Everitt). Let's be fair to them... it's like anything in momentum in sport,' White said this week. 'They were dead and buried, Edinburgh, about six, seven, eight weeks ago. 'And I read articles, he might be out of a job, and they might not make the top eight, and they ended up in the semi-finals of the Challenge Cup and came seventh (on the URC log). 'So, they didn't even squeak in. They needed five points against Ulster and they got it. 'So, that's what momentum does. I'm not expecting anything other than the fact they will come here (confident of winning). 'A lot of those players have played international rugby. In fact, I think more of their players have played international rugby than our players.
IOL News
5 days ago
- Sport
- IOL News
Jake White has come big calls to make as Bulls wary of Edinburgh ‘momentum' for URC quarter-finals
Should Canan Moodie start at wing or outside centre for the Bulls against Edinburgh? Photo: BackpagePix Image: Backpagepix The Bulls have rotated their playing squads often during the season, but now it's about picking the best possible starting XV and match-23 for Saturday's United Rugby Championship quarter-final against Edinburgh at Loftus Versfeld (1.30pm start). Coach Jake White will announce his team on Friday afternoon, and he has a number of major decisions to make to ensure that his team get off to a necessary flying start against the plucky Scottish club. It was a bit of a surprise to see a virtual full-strength side in their last clash against the Dragons on May 17, with only tighthead prop Wilco Louw and flanks Marcell Coetzee – who was on the bench – and Marco van Staden rested from the regular starters. The first contentious area that White must consider is the back-three. Willie le Roux, Sebastian de Klerk and Sergeal Petersen were starters against the bottom-side Dragons, with Canan Moodie operating at outside centre, with David Kriel at No 12. What about Devon Williams? The experienced former Stormers and Western Province flyer has been excellent all season long, and has added a dynamic edge to the Bulls attack with his pace out wide and big left kicking boot. On form, he deserves to start against Edinburgh, either at fullback or left wing. White is likely to opt for veteran Le Roux at No 15, but then Williams should wear the No 11 jersey. That decision could be influenced by whether Moodie continues at outside centre, where Stedman Gans has also been overlooked despite impressing whenever he does get some game-time. Considering Edinburgh have two Scotland Test wings in Duhan van der Merwe and Darcy Graham, perhaps Moodie should return to right wing, with Williams on the left and Le Roux at fullback. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ The make-up of the loose trio is also up for debate. White is likely to opt for Cameron Hanekom at No 8, captain Ruan Nortjé at blindside flank and Coetzee at openside – but is that the ideal combination? Nortjé hasn't done badly at No 7, but he is an out-and-out Springbok No 5 lock, and should be calling the shots from that position in the lineouts against what will be a competitive Edinburgh pack. Youngster JF van Heerden has done well in his debut full season of senior rugby, but perhaps he could shift to No 4, as Cobus Wiese could do a worthwhile job as a No 7 'bruiser' with his hard carries and big hits. It is understood that Nizaam Carr is also over his hamstring injury, and his experience and attacking skills would be invaluable off the bench in the final quarter, where he edges out Van Staden for flexibility and leadership. Johan Grobbelaar and Akker van der Merwe have rotated regularly at hooker, but the Bulls' best chance of making that fast start is for Van der Merwe to wear the No 2 jersey and impose himself physically with his lung-busting runs and control at the back of those driving mauls. The Bulls pack must get their scrum going early on, where Wilco Louw will want to make up for a difficult night in the Challenge Cup quarter-final, where Edinburgh utilised every trick in the book to disrupt the Pretoria side's set-piece. 'I know Sean (Everitt). Let's be fair to them... it's like anything in momentum in sport,' White said this week. 'They were dead and buried, Edinburgh, about six, seven, eight weeks ago. 'And I read articles, he might be out of a job, and they might not make the top eight, and they ended up in the semi-finals of the Challenge Cup and came seventh (on the URC log). 'So, they didn't even squeak in. They needed five points against Ulster and they got it. 'So, that's what momentum does. I'm not expecting anything other than the fact they will come here (confident of winning). 'A lot of those players have played international rugby. In fact, I think more of their players have played international rugby than our players.
IOL News
16-05-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Canan Moodie at centre as Bulls mix things up to douse the Dragons' fire
Canan Moodie Canan Moodie will move to centre for the Bulls against the Dragons. Photo: BackpagePix Canan Moodie will line up in midfield for the Bulls in Saturday's United Rugby Championship clash against the Dragons at Loftus Versfeld (3pm kick-off). Bulls director of rugby Jake White made a number of changes on Friday to the starting team that began last week's win over Cardiff, with an eye on rotation ahead of the URC quarter-finals in a fortnight. In that regard, Moodie at outside centre was a bit of a surprise selection announced by White on Friday, as he has been in fine form at right wing over the last few weeks. In addition, Stedman Gans desperately needs game-time before the playoffs in case of injury, and someone like David Kriel required a breather after playing almost non-stop this season.
IOL News
13-05-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Bulls can rotate squad against Dragons to keep key players fresh ahead of URC quarter-finals
Saturday could be an opportunity for the Bulls to rest stars like Canan Moodie ahead of their home URC quarter-final at the end of the month. Image: Backpagepix The Bulls are in a position to chop and change their lineup ahead of Saturday's final United Rugby Championship (URC) round-robin match against the Dragons in Pretoria. It could serve a double purpose for director of rugby Jake White who has arguably been the most successful coach of the local franchises when it comes to rotating his players this season. Firstly, it could eliminate the injury risk for some of his stars ahead of the playoffs and he will be able to wrap them in cotton wool for the quarter-final at Loftus Versfeld. Secondly, he will be able to give players who haven't had a lot of playing minutes these last couple of rounds some time on the field to get them game-ready should they be needed in the playoffs. With Johan Goosen limping off after only 11 minutes in this past weekend's victory over Cardiff, it will make sense for White to look after certain players who will be crucial in their playoff matches. This could be an opportunity to rest them for two full weekends before the next home game. Players like veteran Willie le Roux, utility back Canan Moodie, scrumhalf Embrose Papier, loose forwards Marco van Staden and captain Ruan Nortjé, and prop Wilco Louw could use a break while letting some fringe players loose on the Welsh club. They are at the bottom of the log, and although second place is not yet sealed for White's troops, with their squad depth, they should be too good for their visitors. It will be important for White to give more of his fringe players some game time under the belt, especially if they haven't really been part of the last couple of weeks, including that gruelling tour overseas. They had some tough games overseas and while they had a week to rest afterwards, they jumped right back into action against Cardiff this past Saturday. That victory at home would've been another confidence booster for the side, especially after romping to an unassailable lead before letting their opponents back in with a couple of tries. Only one point from the final match will seal them the second place on the URC log and with it comes two home playoff matches should they make it past the quarters at the end of the month. While their game plan needs some tweaks, especially when it comes to closing out matches and not allowing teams to fight back, the Bulls are in the perfect position to make changes to enhance their player readiness for the knockouts.
