The Vodacom Bulls are eagerly anticipating the return of their Springbok powerhouse, Gerhard Steenekamp, as the United Rugby Championship (URC) season kicks off. After a knee injury benched him since last November, the prop's comeback could be a game-changer for the team's initial fixtures. Coach Johan Ackermann is keeping his fingers crossed for Steenekamp’s availability either for the opener against the Ospreys on September 27th in Pretoria or the following game against Leinster on October 4th at Loftus.
"Gerhard is working hard on his rehabilitation," Ackermann shared with the media.
"We are taking it week by week, but in the last week he has been progressing well. If his injury continues to progress as it is now, he may be able to make the first match against the Ospreys or at least against Leinster."
The return of Steenekamp not only boosts the team's morale but also strengthens their scrum, a critical component in the high-stakes URC.
While the Bulls are buzzing about the potential return of their star forward, they're also grappling with other injury woes. The casualty list is growing, with loose forwards Cameron Hanekom and Elrigh Louw out of the game for an extended period. The team’s depth will be tested, but this opens up a chance for younger players to make their mark. "At the moment we are going through a challenging time, because we have a lot of players who are not available," Ackermann noted, stressing the breadth of the challenge ahead.
However, there's a silver lining as Marcell Coetzee, another Bok flank, is back on the roster after dodging a suspension for a red card incident during the Currie Cup. With Hanekom slated for a late November or early December return and Louw possibly back by February, the Bulls’ lineup will eventually rejuvenate, but for now, the younger players have a golden opportunity. Ackermann’s strategy involves leveraging this period to nurture emerging talents like JJ Theron, Mpilo Gumede, and Nama Xaba.
As the Bulls gear up for their URC campaign, the blend of seasoned Boks returning from injuries and eager young players stepping up could make for an intriguing season. Whether this mix will propel the Bulls to the top of the URC standings remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the Bulls’ saga of resilience and recovery will be one to watch.
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The Vodacom Bulls are eagerly anticipating the return of their Springbok powerhouse, Gerhard Steenekamp, as the United Rugby Championship (URC) season kicks off. After a knee injury benched him since last November, the prop's comeback could be a game-changer for the team's initial fixtures. Coach Johan Ackermann is keeping his fingers crossed for Steenekamp’s availability either for the opener against the Ospreys on September 27th in Pretoria or the following game against Leinster on October 4th at Loftus.
"Gerhard is working hard on his rehabilitation," Ackermann shared with the media.
"We are taking it week by week, but in the last week he has been progressing well. If his injury continues to progress as it is now, he may be able to make the first match against the Ospreys or at least against Leinster."
The return of Steenekamp not only boosts the team's morale but also strengthens their scrum, a critical component in the high-stakes URC.While the Bulls are buzzing about the potential return of their star forward, they're also grappling with other injury woes. The casualty list is growing, with loose forwards Cameron Hanekom and Elrigh Louw out of the game for an extended period. The team’s depth will be tested, but this opens up a chance for younger players to make their mark. "At the moment we are going through a challenging time, because we have a lot of players who are not available," Ackermann noted, stressing the breadth of the challenge ahead.
However, there's a silver lining as Marcell Coetzee, another Bok flank, is back on the roster after dodging a suspension for a red card incident during the Currie Cup. With Hanekom slated for a late November or early December return and Louw possibly back by February, the Bulls’ lineup will eventually rejuvenate, but for now, the younger players have a golden opportunity. Ackermann’s strategy involves leveraging this period to nurture emerging talents like JJ Theron, Mpilo Gumede, and Nama Xaba.
As the Bulls gear up for their URC campaign, the blend of seasoned Boks returning from injuries and eager young players stepping up could make for an intriguing season. Whether this mix will propel the Bulls to the top of the URC standings remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the Bulls’ saga of resilience and recovery will be one to watch.
Teams mentioned: Vodacom Bulls, Ospreys, Leinster