Latest news with #Pretorian
RTÉ News
2 days ago
- Sport
- RTÉ News
'Excited' Bulls ready for Leinster showdown - Akker van der Merwe
Bulls hooker Akker van der Merwe has said that a feel-good factor is the driving factor for the side ahead of Saturday's BKT URC final meeting with Leinster in Croke Park. The 33-year-old hooker rejoined the Pretorian franchise last season following a stint with the Sale Sharks and is getting set for his second URC final in consecutive seasons with Jake White's men. Having soared up the table with six straight wins to round out the regular season, the Bulls are eager to go one step further, after losing out at home to the Glasgow Warriors in last June's final. The powerful front-row forward noted their northern tour from back in April, where they defeated both Munster and Glasgow in their own back yard, as the catalyst in their season. Tours are often an important time of the year for squad building, and it's where the Bulls feel their newfound excitement and awareness has come from. "I think that is probably the one thing we've been driving since the tour of Munster and Glasgow, excitement all around," said Van der Merwe. "To have a smile on your face when you get on the field and to enjoy everything you do. That has been a massive turnaround for us. "The first thing is that there are no egos, and that makes it a lot easier. Everyone always talks about brotherhood and that bond, and I actually think that we have it here. "It obviously took us a bit to get here but I think that the team as a whole are at a very good point." Leinster will be the favourites to claim the title, following an impressive regular season where they won 16 of their 18 fixtures. For Van der Merwe, whose brother Duhan will tour for the Lions alongside 12 Leinster players, the province are a complete side, with threats across the park. He said: "They've got a pretty good spread of variation to attack from so it's going to be important for us to try and put them under pressure so it's not too easy for them to strike from lineouts. "Obviously they have a fully Irish team... they've got great scrum and lineout play, so I think it's going to be the entire game basically [where Leinster pose a threat]." Over 40,000 supporters are expected to pack into the Jones' Road arena for Saturday's decider, as the URC looks set to crown a fourth new champion since the tournament revamp back in 2021. Leinster have fallen short in the semi-final stage in each of the past three seasons, including losses to the Bulls in 2022 and 2024. The South African club have their own share of agony having suffered narrow, five-point losses in both of their final appearances. Both sides will be keen to avenge their previous heartbreak and write themselves into the history books as one of club rugby's elites at GAA HQ.
Extra.ie
3 days ago
- Sport
- Extra.ie
Matfield, Botha, Spies, Du Preez... Bulls all-time XV is an elite club
The Bulls will be hoping it will be third time lucky at Croke Park on Saturday. Since their arrived onto the URC scene in 2021 – along with the other South African heavyweights – Jake White's side have made a huge impact on this tournament, losing the 2022 and 2024 finals. On both occasions, it was Leinster who suffered defeat against the Pretorians at the semi-final stage. Vodacom Bulls captain Ruan Norté and Leinster captain Jack Conan at Croke Park. Pic: INPHO/Ben Brady So, something has to give at GAA headquarters this weekend. The hosts will encounter an immense challenge against a giant of the global game. The Bulls are a club steeped in history and they have winning pedigree, securing three Super Rugby titles in 2007, 2009 and 2010. There has been no shortage of megastars in the club ranks through the years, too… FULL- BACK: Zane Kirchner Zane Kirchner. Pic:Not the flashest of fullbacks and the former Springbok, who made 31 appearances for his country, didn't set pulses racing during his four-year stint at Leinster. In fairness, replacing Isa Nacewa was always going to be a thankless task. But Kirchner was as solid as they come and he was a vital cog in the Bulls side which dominated Super Rugby for a time. RIGHT-WING: Bryan Habana Bryan Habana. Pic: Lee Warren/A try machine and one of the greats. Habana had devastating acceleration and finishing ability. The flying Bulls wing will forever be remembered for his stunning, last-gasp finish in all-South African Super Rugby final against the Sharks in 2007, Habana crossing the line in the dying seconds to secure the first of many titles for the Pretorian giants. He was equally deadly at Test level, scoring 67 tries in the 124 Test appearances. MIDFIELD: Jan Serfontein and Wynand Olivier Wynand Olivier. Pic: Lee Warren/A real clash of styles, but a pair of hugely influential centres. Olivier was the ever-reliable glue player between a mighty Bulls pack and speed merchants such as Habana. The classy midfielder spent almost a decade with the Bulls before embarking on a nomadic late career with Ricoh Black Rams in Japan, Montpellier and Worcester. Serfontein, meanwhile, was a naturally instinctive player with the highest of ceilings. Racked up 60 appearances for the Bulls and a further 35 Test caps for the Springboks. Injury was an unfortunate footnote but Serfontein, on his day, was top class. LEFT WING: Akona Ndgungane Akona Ndungane. Pic: Lee Warren/A regular for the Bulls between 2005 and 2015, Ndgungane terrorised opposition defences with his lighting-quick pace. A member of the 2007 World Cup-winning South Africa squad, Ndgungane won 11 caps for his country. Now an accomplished golfer. OUT-HALF: Morne Steyn Morné Steyn. Pic:A club legend, Steyn was still lining out for the Bulls at age 38 only few seasons ago. The ultra-reliable No10 was a regular fixture in the sky blue jersey for the best part of two decades. A nerveless goalkicker and an unflappable customer on the pitch, Steyn played to the Bulls' strengths throughout a glittering career, keeping a giant pack on the front foot. Handre Pollard is in the conversation but Steyn is synonymous with Loftus Versfeld, especially after his match-winning long-range penalty to win the 2009 Lions series. SCRUM-HALF: Fourie du Preez Fourie du Preez. Pic: Anesh Debiky/The late Joost van der Westhuizen was a trailblazer in his position and revered by Bulls and Springboks fans. But Fourie du Preez gets the nod. The Bulls scrum-half was the complete package. Du Preez was a world class kicker and a brilliant passer with a deadly turn of pace. LOOSEHEAD PROP: Gurthro Steenkamp Gurthro Steenkamp. Pic: Lee Warren/A fearsome frontrower who struck fear into opposition packs for many years. Steenkamp was a Bulls stalwart and then carved out a brilliant career in France, anchoring the Toulouse pack for six seasons. Now working alongside Ronan O'Gara as La Rochelle scrum coach. HOOKER: Gary Botha Gary Botha (left). Pic: Duif du Toit/A stalwart in the Bulls frontrow, Botha begin lining out for the Bulls as a 13-year-old in the junior ranks and quickly become a mainstay in the senior team. A tough, uncompromising figure, Botha was unlucky to ply his trade in the same eras as John Smit and Bismarck du Plessis and his talents deserved more than 16 caps at international level. TIGHTHEAD PROP: Wilco Louw Wilco Louw. Pic: Gordon Arons/The Bulls have never been short of hard-nosed props. Wilco Louw has taken the scenic route to the top but the 30-year-old is already en route to becoming a hall of famer. A former youth player with the club, Louw has stints with the Stormers, Toulon and Harlequins before returning home in 2023. The powerful tighthead has been a smash hit and his destructive scrummaging is a big reason why the Bulls are quietly confident of derailing Leinster's URC title bid. Widely tipped to become the cornerstone of the Springboks scrum ahead of their treble World Cup bid in 2027. SECOND ROW: Victor Matfield and Bakkies Botha Victor Matfield and Bakkies Botha. Pic:When you think of the Bulls at their peak, this iconic second row pairing immediately springs to mind. Matfield and Botha pretty much did it all. From Super Rugby titles to World Cups to tearing it up in the Top14 with Toulon. The legendary locks were the perfect combination of skill and ferocity. Botha was very much the Mr Muscle in this partnership. The hard-nosed second row loved the jobs that his teammates hated. Botha lived on the edge and had a disciplinary rap-sheet longer than his giant 6ft, 7in frame. He was the perfect foil to the athletic Matfield, widely regarded as one of the greatest lineout forwards to ever play the game. A born leader, too. A duo who were central to many great days at Loftus Versfeld. BLINDSIDE FLANKER: Danie Rossouw Danie Rossouw. Pic: Duif du Toit/Equally at home at lock, flanker or No8, Rossouw was a potent presence in the Bulls backrow for 10 years. The perfect roil for the free-running Spies, Rossouw relished the physical stuff and had a bordeline disregard for his own wellbeing. A key member of the Springboks side which claimed World Cup glory in 2007 and followed up with a series victory against the Lions two years later. OPENSIDE FLANKER: Ruben Kruger Ruben Kruger. Pic:They didn't come any tougher than the hard-as-nails former Bulls flanker. Long before the heady Super Rugby victories of the late 2000s, Kruger led from the front. A member of the 1995 World Cup-winning Springbok team, Kruger passed away in February after a 10-year battle with cancer. NO8: Pierre Spies Pierre Spies. Pic: Lee Warren/A Rolls Royce of a backrow forward, Spies was a force of nature at the back of the scrum. The Bulls No8 had a freakish blend of size, speed and power. Spies was box office when he hit top gear. There's plenty of highlights reels available on YouTube of this Bulls powerhouse in full flow.
The Citizen
19-05-2025
- Climate
- The Citizen
Life's a breeze for weather girl Michelle du Plessis
The 27-year-old describes reading the weather as a tough job. Michelle du Plessis – better known as one of two Vox weather forecasters – celebrated her 27th birthday earlier this month. She spoke about overcoming difficult seasons, the winds of change and starting over in Cape Town all before the age 30. Dressed up as a meteorologist Du Plessis lives in the Western Cape after relocating there for work reasons in 2023 and said she is a Pretorian by heart. 'I was born and raised in Centurion and matriculated at Zwartkop High School. I am one of five children, so family means everything to me. I grew up in a big household full of fun and games,' she said. Du Plessis was the middle child with an older sister, one of twins, six years her senior and two younger brothers. ALSO READ: Annette Botha: SA's Wonder Woman of weather 'I loved playing school with my brothers. Teaching was something I enjoyed. I also enjoyed school and excelled academically,' she said. Du Plessis said she loved maths and geography and, later, enjoyed science. She quips when she looks back at her career dress-up day in matric, she had accomplished her dream. 'I dressed up as a meteorologist, I used a hairbrush as a microphone and umbrella as a prop with leaves in my hair, not knowing a few years later it would be my day job,' she said. Graduated cum laude She describes reading the weather as a tough job. 'I cannot watch my first show, it made me cringe. But I learned from the best,' she said. Du Plessis said she loved maths so much that if meteorology didn't work out for her, she would be teaching the subject. She didn't come from a family that had obtained degrees, so she didn't know the careers to study. READ MORE: From surgery to storytelling: The remarkable journey of Prof Berend Mets She enrolled at the University of Pretoria to study meteorology and completed her honours degree during Covid, only to find out that the forecasting certificate she had to complete at the SA Weather Service had been discontinued for that year. 'I went through the whole degree, graduated cum laude, only to find out that there was nowhere for me to go. 'During that time, I worked three jobs to keep my head above water. I worked as a bookkeeper, au pair and taught extra math classes.' And then the phone rang. Du Plessis wins Vox Weather presenter search It was Annette Botha from Vox Weather inviting her for a presentation at the Vox Weather's open day as they were searching for a new meteorologist. Du Plessis walked away as the winner. 'About a year later, they approached me with a job offer in 2022.' Du Plessis had to leave Centurion and move to Cape Town to start her new job at the beginning of 2023. READ MORE: Mzansi's People: The making of a makeup artist She hasn't looked back from day one. 'I am someone who doesn't give up easily and am hard working. So, even if I didn't end up where I am now, I would have made a success of my circumstances. 'Yes, it took time and it was hard to get, but it was worth it,' she said. Du Plessis said she would always be grateful to the Burger family, who took her in at the end of Grade 11 when her family was going through a rough patch. 'They took care of me like one of their daughters,' she said. Family Besides missing highveld afternoon thundershowers in summer, Du Plessis also misses her family and being able to pop in for a coffee at her parents after work, or having a potjie. Earlier this month, her mother visited her for my birthday. 'I couldn't let her leave without making her famous veggie soup and extra to freeze for later,' she said. Du Plessis, who got married in October, said she was looking for ward to a family of her own. 'I cannot see myself growing old without having offspring of my own,' she said. She loves being out and about on the job, be it snow chasing on the Matroos mountains or visiting places for their Beyond the Forecast vlogs. 'When I am not in front of the camera reading weather, I am either on the club's hockey field or out hiking,' she said. Du Plessis enjoys her new life in Cape Town, taking cold swims in the ocean and reading the weather. NOW READ: From software sales to sound healing, one woman's journey
The Citizen
22-04-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
HTS Middelburg to begin their Noordvaal Cup campaign tomorrow (April 23)
HTS Middelburg to begin their Noordvaal Cup campaign tomorrow (April 23) Hoërskool Oos-Moot will play host to nine HTS sides, all of whom are looking to secure a precious opening day win. The Rooies are competing in the Plate division of this year's Noordvaal Cup, alongside bitter rivals Hoërskool Middelburg. Middies will kick off their Noordvaal trek at this year's Derby on May 17, with the highly anticipated fixture to be hosted by HTS Middelburg. The boys in red will be hoping to begin as they mean to go on and return home victorious against the Pretorian outfit. Here are the times for tomorrow's fixtures: 14:20 • U/14 A – A-Field • Third Team – B-Field • U/15 B – C-Field 15:30 • U/15 A – A-Field • U/16 B – B-Field 16:40 • Second Team – A-Field • U/14 B – B-Field 17:50 • U/16 A – A-Field 19:00 • First Team – A-Field Do you have information on a news story you think we should cover? Please send an email to our News Editor at daleen@ or phone us on 072 248 3855. To keep updated and informed on all the latest Middelburg news, visit our official social media pages: Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X (Formerly Twitter), and YouTube. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
