Latest news with #RuanNortje
The Citizen
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Citizen
Bulls v Sharks: SA rugby's grit and pride
The Sharks have played much of their rugby in difficult conditions and may find the altitude and free-flowing rugby of the Highveld to their liking. Sharks loose forward Siya Kolisi and Bulls captain Ruan Nortje have spoken of their team's need to win the URC semi-final. Pictures: Steve Haag Sports/Gallo Images. The Sharks are banking on their never-say-die attitude and double over the Bulls in the regular season to propel them through their first-ever United Rugby Championship semi-final, played at Loftus on Saturday (kick-off 6.15pm). The Bulls will have much to say about that, however. With seven consecutive wins in the tournament and having a more consistent season and historical success in the URC, they have spoken much of their intent to right wrongs – both against the Sharks and by going all the way this time. The Sharks' penalty shootout victory over Munster in the quarter-final was indicative of a URC season that saw them win half their games by seven points or less. Fans have been vocal about how their team has not hit their straps – something players and coaches have admitted themselves – but the Sharks have still found a way through. 'The result is all that matters' Loose forward Siya Kolisi spoke of the fighting spirit that has seen the Sharks win their last five games, while four of them were tight. He said in previous years his side would have lost those games (they finished 14th with just four wins last season). But they have grown, fringe players stepping in for stars who were injured and punching above their weight. What better way to show their growth than by winning the URC's SA shield for the first time, which they did in March. 'The result is all that matters,' Kolisi said. And he's absolutely right. However, the Sharks have played much of their rugby in difficult conditions, Kings Park included, and may find the altitude and free-flowing rugby of the Highveld to their liking. Set-piece, kicking and breakdown will determine Bulls-Sharks game Still, the Bulls, fresh from scoring six tries against Edinburgh, will be favourites playing at home despite the Sharks' 10-point victory there three months ago. Yet for all the high expectations placed on them, during a lengthy press conference, three Bulls players took turns telling media essentially the same thing: they knew the threat the star-studded Sharks posed and relished the challenge. 'They are very good set-piece-wise. They have a massive pack. Quality, international players we all know,' Bulls captain Ruan Nortje said. 'They are very good at their contestable kicking game and the breakdown. That's three places the game will be determined, without a doubt.' Sharks coach John Plumtree will bring the full might of his Springbok-laden side to bear, hoping they can pull off another gritty win. The Bulls' Jake White will be analysing and re-analysing every aspect of how the game will unfold, as he is wont to do. At the end of the day, the players will determine the outcome, with the winner to face either Leinster or Glasgow Warriors in the final next weekend.
The Herald
18-05-2025
- Sport
- The Herald
Bulls stampede Dragons at Loftus
It started off poignant but in the end it was the Bulls' poise and power that helped them down the Dragons 55-15 in their United Rugby Championship clash at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday. Before kickoff the Bulls celebrated the life of recently deceased Cornal Hendricks with a minute's applause and then silence. Soon after however they made their voices heard as they secured second spot on the points table with a dominant performance against poor opposition. Loose head prop Jan-Hendrik Wessels was a busy ball carrier and a productive scrummager, flank Nama Xaba proved a real nuisance at the breakdown, captain Ruan Nortje's work rate was exemplary, while fullback Willie le Roux made timely incursions and offloads. Like Xaba, Wessels also made his presence felt at the breakdown as the Dragons were frustrated on the few occasions they made it into Bulls' territory in the first half. The Dragons however are the cellar dwellers for a reason and their porous defence again served to undermine their efforts.
The Herald
17-05-2025
- Sport
- The Herald
Bulls to do it for Cornal Hendricks in URC clash against Dragons
Bulls v Dragons: 1. Jan-hendrik Wessels, 2. Akker van der Merwe, 3. Mornay Smith, 4. Cobus Wiese, 5. JF van Heerden, 6. Kuyenzeka Nama Xaba, 7. Ruan Nortje (c), 8. Cameron Hanekom, 9. Zak Burger, 10. Keagan Johannes, 11. Sergeal Petersen, 12. David Kriel, 13. Canan Moodie, 14. Sebastian de Klerk, 15. Willie le Roux Substitutes: 16. Johan Grobbelaar, 17. Simphiwe Matanzima, 18. Francois Klopper, 19. Jannes Kirsten, 20. Marcell Coetzee, 21. Bernard van der Linde, 22. Stedman Gans, 23. Devon Williams Lions v Ospreys: 1. Juan Schoeman, 2. Jaco Visagie (c), 3. Asenathi Ntlabakanye, 4. Ruan Venter, 5. Ruan Delport, 6. JC Pretorius, 7. Renzo du Plessis, 8. Jarod Cairns, 9. Nico Steyn, 10. Lubabalo Dobela, 11. Edwill van der Merwe, 12. Bronson Mills, 13. Henco van Wyk, 14. Richard Kriel, 15. Quan Horn Substitutes: 16. Morne Brandon, 17. SJ Kotze, 18. RF Schoeman, 19. Izan Esterhuizen, 20. WJ Steenkamp, 21. Layton Horn, 22. Marius Louw, 23. Kelly Mpeku Sharks v Scarlets: 1. Ox Nche, 2. Bongi Mbonambi, 3. Vincent Koch, 4. Eben Etzebeth (C), 5. Emile van Heerden, 6. Tino Mavesere, 7. Vincent Tshituka, 8. Phepsi Buthelezi, 9. Jaden Hendrikse, 10. Siya Masuku, 11. Makazole Mapimpi, 12. André Esterhuizen, 13. Jurenzo Julius, 14. Ethan Hooker, 15. Aphelele Fassi Substitutes: 16. Fez Mbatha, 17. Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18. Hanro Jacobs, 19. Jason Jenkins, 20. Nick Hatton, 21. Bradley Davids, 22. Francois Venter. 23. Yaw Penxe
The Citizen
16-05-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
White mixes up squad for final URC pool match against Dragons
Ruan Nortje will continue to lead the side from No 7 flank, while Willie le Roux remains in the No 15 jersey. Akker van der Merwe will wear the Bulls No 2 jersey against Dragons. Picture: Gordon Arons/Gallo Images Bulls boss Jake White has made a number of changes to his side for their final round robin United Rugby Championship match against bottom-of-the-table Dragons at Loftus on Saturday. The Bulls are currently in second place on the URC points table with 63 and cannot catch first-placed Leinster who have 72. However, should Glasgow Warriors (59) shock Leinster at home in their final match, they could go past the Bulls. It seems unlikely though that the Bulls will come unstuck against a Dragons team which has won just once in 17 matches all season. For this reason, White has opted to rest some of his key players ahead of a home quarter-final in two weekends' time. For this match, Akker van der Merwe, Mornay Smith, Nama Xaba, Keagan Johannes and Sergeal Petersen come into the starting XV, while Sebastian de Klerk, David Kriel and Canan Moodie all change positions. There are also a few changes on the bench, with Simphiwe Matanzima, Francois Klopper and Bernard van der Linde returning to the squad after missing out last week. The Bulls go into the game on the back of a 45-21 win against Cardiff, while Dragons lost 12-48 to the Stormers. Bulls: Willie le Roux, Sebastian de Klerk, Canan Moodie, David Kriel, Sergeal Petersen, Keagan Johannes, Zak Burger, Cameron Hanekom, Ruan Nortje (capt), Nama Xaba, JF van Heerden, Cobus Wiese, Mornay Smith, Akker van der Merwe, Jan-Hendrik Wessels. Bench: Johan Grobbelaar, Simphiwe Matanzima, Francois Klopper, Jannes Kirsten, Marcell Coetzee, Bernard van der Linde, Stedman Gans, Devon Williams
