Bulls squad for Super Rugby

Outside Backs: Warrick Gelant, Duncan Matthews, Travis Ismaiel, Jamba Ulengo, Jade Stighling, Divan Rossouw.

Midfielders: Burger Odendaal, JT Jackson, Francois Brummer, Jesse Kriel, Johnny Kotze

Flyhalves: Handre Pollard, Marnitz Boshoff, Manie Libbok

Halfbacks: Ivan van Zyl, Andre Warner, Embrose Papier

Loose Forwards: Roelof Smit, Ruan Steenkamp, Hendre Stassen, Hanro Liebenberg, Jannes Kirsten, Nic de Jager, Tim Agaba.

Locks: Jason Jenkins, Ruben van Heerden, RG Snyman, Lood de Jager, Aston Fortuin.

Props: Pierre Schoeman, Conraad van Vuuren, Frans van Wyk, Matthys Basson, Lizo Gqoboka, Trevor Nyakane.

Hookers: Jaco Visagie, Adriaan Strauss, Edgar Marutlulle

It was inevitable that Mitch would see through the farce that is Paige.

The only thing Paige has going for him is a nice pass but that doesn't help either if your service from the base of the ruck is slow and predictable. He is an easy read and just doesn't have anything in his arsenal to impress at a higher level. 

Mitch in a nutshell stated he was too slow.

Paige has a had a nice ride. He got his Bok colours ... undeserved ... but I'm sure he can and will boast to his grand children of his accomplishments.  

I hope that will be the last we see of this chump in the green and gold.

JT Jackson looks a good one Mike...went to Oakdale in Riversdal and straight to Pretoria after school even though he was a Stormers fan...I wonder why???

Has an impressive start and can play both inside and outside centre as well as 10...a good  future replacement of your hero Francois Steyn....LOL Case closed....bahahaha

I wonder if Mozart will agree

https://youtu.be/MEwpb7hosa0

Seb

Jackson's father is a farmer in the Riversdale area and he did go to Oakdale - which is situated about 1,5 kilometers from my house.   While at Oakdale his education costs were covered by the Bulls and he also received a monthly allowance of R1 800 to cover his out-of-pocket expenses, provided he signs a contract with them when leaving school. 

My problem with Paige is a serious deficiency in ball sense and his absence from breakdown points when he has to receive balls.   He is too slow to be a reasonable scrummie.

I expected his demotion and mentioned Ivan van Zyl and Papier in previous posts,   However, Van Zyll is still injured and I think in the initial matches of the Bulls Papier may be he scrummie to start. 

I see that they have two back-ups for Pollard as well.   He will have to pull up his socks and start playing thinking rugby - otherwise he will also sink.

Bulls head coach John Mitchell says the decision to omit scrumhalf Rudy Paige from his Super Rugby squad was based on the need to look to the future.

At 28‚ Paige is the oldest of the Bulls halfbacks as Embrose Papier (20)‚ Ivan van Zyl (22) and Andre Warner (24) have time on their side.

The fact Paige is one of the national team scrumhalves didn't count in his favour alongside the fact he's also still injured.

Mitchell said the decision to leave Paige out was a tough one but in Papier‚ the Bulls have a potentially world-class scrumhalf.

“Rudy has been fantastic for the union‚" Mitchell said.

"He's given a lot but I thought it was time to move forward with the young number nines.

"I like a very fast number nine and all the nines we've selected have got the ability and Embrose Papier is an up-and-coming and potentially world-class scrumhalf.

"He's demonstrated that in his age group and showed that in the Under-20 World Cup.

"Rudy's recovering from injury‚ he's just got married and should we have injury problem's we'll be fortunate to have someone of his calibre to step in.

Draad

I saw both Van Zyl and Papier playing a few games each and they both were very good.   I must agree that Papier is the one with the brighter future.   Anyway those two may sooner rather than later be the future scrummies in SA.   Want to see how they perform, in Super Rugby,   

Yes we know, Matey ... we've all read the article.