Latest news with #Nortjé
IOL News
5 days ago
- Sport
- IOL News
Nortjé: Bulls in full Test mode for crucial URC semi-final against Sharks
Bulls skipper Ruan Nortjé says his side are preparing for their URC semi-final showdown with the Sharks like a Test match, emphasising focus, discipline and set-piece dominance ahead of Saturday's all-South African clash at Loftus. Photo: Backpagepix Image: Backpagepix Bulls captain Ruan Nortjé has acknowledged the mental and physical challenge posed by facing the Sharks in the upcoming United Rugby Championship (URC) semi-final at Loftus Versfeld. Despite the Sharks' dramatic victory over Munster in the quarter-finals, Nortjé wants his side to remain focused on the task ahead, highlighting the importance of resilience and executing their gameplan on Saturday (6.15pm kick-off). 'When we reach the play-offs, we try to always get ourselves in the headspace of Test-match level preparation,' said Nortjé ahead of the clash. 'We had the same mentality against Edinburgh, and it will be more of the same this weekend. The fact that it is a South African derby just adds more fuel, excitement, and tension. So, we have to ensure that we are mentally prepared and get our game plan ready for what awaits.' Nortjé added that they cannot afford to switch off for even one minute or concede a yellow card. He highlighted lapses in concentration against Edinburgh, which allowed the Scottish club to mount a strong attack in the first half when the Bulls were down to 14 men. The Bulls trailed 21–8 at one stage, but their fightback underscored their championship credentials. However, he warned that they must be wary of the Sharks' scrum, which could provide a potent attacking platform. 'The Sharks were definitely brilliant scrum-wise last weekend. I think that's a massive part of what brought them through that game, so I must give them credit — the whole front row. It's definitely going to be a massive battle at the set-piece. "We can only prepare as well as we can and ensure we are ready when Saturday comes. We must be composed and make swift changes on the field — be ready for anything, and expect anything.' 'We are blessed to play in another semi-final. We know there are a lot of other teams that would also want to be in this position, and that are capable of being in the semi-final.' Apart from the forwards, he pointed to the Sharks' half-backs, Jaden and Jordan Hendrikse, as major threats, along with inside centre André Esterhuizen as their primary strike-runner. He knows the Durbanites thrive on unpredictability and moments of individual brilliance, making it essential for the Bulls to stay composed and disciplined. Nortjé stressed the need to trust their systems, rely on their set-piece strength, and not allow the Sharks' high tempo and creativity to disrupt their game plan. Maintaining focus and emotional control will be key to securing a place in the final.
The Citizen
5 days ago
- General
- The Citizen
Bulls expect ‘nothing less than a massive grind' against Sharks, says captain Nortjé
Bulls leader Ruan Nortje says his team will have to stay sharp after seeing first-hand how the Sharks capitalise on errors. Bulls captain Ruan Nortjé believes his side cannot afford lapses in concentration like those in their previous meeting when they host the Sharks in their United Rugby Championship semi-final at Loftus on Saturday (kick-off 6.15pm). The Sharks have beaten the Bulls twice in the URC this season (20–17 in Durban in December and 29–19 at Loftus in February). There was one mistake during that home defeat three months ago that Nortjé recalled with disdain, though he admitted the Pretoria side have been guilty of switching off at times to let teams back in throughout the season. Still, they finished second in the league phase with 14 wins from 18 matches – meaning half their defeats came against the Sharks. Bulls can't switch off 'First of all, they [the Sharks] are a quality side. They grind out games. They always tend to find a way and that is a special thing to have in a team,' Nortjé said. 'I think for us it is about small lapses or moments where we lose our concentration and we give away silly points. Missed tackles here and there, especially like that game at Loftus where we did not receive that contestable kick and the Sharks fielded that, two missed tackles later, and Jurenzo Julius made a break and scored an awesome try with Jordan [Hendrikse]. 'It's such small margins that the Sharks always tend to make something out of. So we will have to be very sharp on the weekend.' The Bulls captain said they would have to be switched on from the first minute against the Sharks. He referred to wing Sebastian de Klerk's miscued charge down against Edinburgh in the quarter-final. The mistake saw him sent off with a yellow card, providing Edinburgh with a 22m entry and allowing them to score an overlap try two minutes later. 'This weekend it will be very important we don't get any of those 20, 10-minute absences in the game. For minutes one to 80, it is going to be very important for us to be mentally in the right space. It's just going to be a massive grind, I would say. Nothing less than a massive grind.' Nortje praises Sharks experience and grit Nortje praised the Sharks for the grit they showed throughout their 100-minute quarter-final against Munster, which ended in a penalty shootout. 'All around the park they have amazing players. There are guys who have been around the block, guys you know will be there until the last minute. They've been there and done that. Mentally, they are an extremely strong team so we know that is going to be a massive battle.'
IOL News
21-05-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Should Bulls captain Ruan Nortjé stay at flank in Edinburgh URC quarter-final?
Ruan Nortjé Bulls captain Ruan Nortjé should rule the lineouts as a lock against Edinburgh. Photo: BackpagePix Image: BackpagePix The Bulls have an abundance of loose-forward options, but who should start in the United Rugby Championship quarter-final against Edinburgh next Saturday? Coach Jake White has happily rotated his loose trio throughout the season with great success, with yet another new face, Nama Xaba, clinching the Player of the Match award in last week's 55-15 romp over the hapless Dragons. But now it's all or nothing in next Saturday's playoff against Edinburgh at Loftus Versfeld (1.30pm). There is no rotation needed – the best openside flank, blindside flank and No 8 must run out against the Scottish club. Let's look at all the loose-forward options available to White: Marcell Coetzee, Marco van Staden, Cameron Hanekom, Xaba, Jannes Kirsten, Mihlali Mosi, Cobus Wiese and Ruan Nortjé. It is understood that Nizaam Carr, Reinhardt Ludwig and Mpilo Gumede are injured and out of the mix at the moment, while Elrigh Louw will only return next year. Now, based on his selections in recent matches, White is likely to opt for Coetzee at openside, Nortjé at blindside and Hanekom at No 8. But it isn't necessarily as straightforward as that. The big elephant in the room is captain Nortjé at No 7. 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 Next Stay Close ✕ His move to the loose trio was necessitated by the injuries to Louw and Gumede, and the excellent form of Junior Springbok JF van Heerden at No 5. But Nortjé actually starred for the Springboks at No 5 lock last year, and may be doing his international ambitions some harm by not turning out in that position for his franchise. And surely having their ace lineout jumper and caller in his preferred position would be the best for the Bulls in a quarter-final? That is no slight on Van Heerden, who has come of age this season and is a future Springbok. But with everything on the line, Nortjé should be at No 5. White has stated that there is a hole at blindside flank in the absence of Louw and Ludwig, but what about Wiese? He first made his name at No 7 for the Stormers before moving to Sale Sharks in England, where he featured in the loose trio and No 4 lock. Wiese has been excelling in the second row in recent weeks, but he may add even greater value at No 7 with his abrasive carries and excellent running lines. Van Heerden can easily slot in at No 4 lock, and there is also a strong candidate in Ruan Vermaak available too. Hanekom is the favourite at No 8, and rightly so, as he has been outstanding this season and will be a threat with ball-in-hand on the fast Loftus pitch. But there is also merit in adopting a different strategy of softening up the wily Edinburgh loose trio of Jamie Ritchie, Hamish Watson and Magnus Bradbury with two more abrasive characters in Van Staden at openside and Coetzee at No 8. They won't be deterred by the 'dark alley' skills of Ritchie and Watson around the breakdowns in particular. Their confrontational styles could just be the tonic to disrupt Edinburgh's all-or-nothing approach upfront before Hanekom's silky running skills can come to the fore in the second half. A six-two bench split could be on the cards as well, with Xaba's superb outing last week perhaps earning him a replacement spot. URC Quarter-Finals (All SA Times) Friday May 30 8.35pm: Glasgow Warriors v Stormers, Scotstoun Stadium Saturday May 31 1.30pm: Bulls v Edinburgh, Loftus Versfeld 4pm: Leinster v Scarlets, Aviva Stadium 6.30pm: Sharks v Munster, Kings Park
