Dylan Sage Bulls 2018- Blitzbok to move to Blue Bulls

Blitzbokke forward Dylan Sage will leave the sevens setup to join the Pretoria based Blue Bulls ahead of the Currie Cup season. Sage’s last engagement with the Blitzboks was their Rugby World Cup Sevens campaign in San Francisco, where they finished third by beating Fiji.

A back in the 15’s game, Sage has been used as a forward by coach Neil Powell and has become one of the mainstays of South Africa’s 7’s side. He was part of the Dream Team named for the 2017 HSBC World Sevens series- the only South African in it (the Blitzbokke won the series by pipping Fiji to the title)

Sage, the grandson of former Springbok Doug Hopwood, is not the only Blitzbok leaving the sevens after the 2018 7’s RWC. Ruhan Nel is also moving on, but to the Cape Town based Stormers. Neither the Stormers nor the Bulls were able to make the Super Rugby playoffs this year. Continue reading “Dylan Sage Bulls 2018- Blitzbok to move to Blue Bulls”

Jesse Kriel racist or not? Kriel Mapimpi Video Wales Test 2018

Click here for Racist or Not | Frans Steyn Mapimpi Video RWC 2019

Here is a video that is going viral on social media claiming that South African outside centre Jesse Kriel is racist for asking his centre partner Andre Esterhuizen to stand next to him instead of winger Makazole Mapimpi. The tweet gained traction after it was retweeted by well known anchor Robert Marawa.

Kriel’s probably the furthest from a racist in this Springbok squad- he’s even gone with captain Siya Kolisi to the latter’s township, but South Africa, as many know, remains a deeply divided and sensitive country about race. And for what it is worth, he even set up Mapimpi for a try in the same game! Continue reading “Jesse Kriel racist or not? Kriel Mapimpi Video Wales Test 2018”

Golden Lions and Blue Bulls Super Rugby Attendances 2018

Here are official home crowd & attendance figures for home games involving South African clubs Emirates Lions and the Blue Bulls in Super Rugby 2018. The Lions play at Emirates Airline Park (Ellis Park) in Johannesburg while the Bulls, coached by John Mitchell this year, have their home games at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria.

Stats last updated after Lions vs Stormers on 7 April, 2018

Blue Bulls Loftus Super Rugby Crowds 2018

Bulls vs Hurricanes 2018 Attendance 9,506 24 February (Bulls 21-19 Canes)
Blue Bulls vs Lions 2018 Attendance 20,789 3 March (Bulls 35-49 Lions)
Blue Bulls vs Stormers 2018 Attendance 23,245 31 March (Bulls 33-23 Stormers)
Blue Bulls v Rebels 2018 Attendance NOT ANNOUNCED 21 April (Bulls 28-10 Rebels)
Blue Bulls vs Highlanders 2018 Attendance NOT ANNOUNCED 28 April (Bulls 28-29 Highlanders)
Blue Bulls vs Sharks 2018 Attendance NOT ANNOUNCED 12 May (Bulls 39-33 Sharks)
Blue Bulls v Brumbies 2018 Attendance 8,189 26 May (Bulls 28-38 Brumbies)

Total Bulls Super Rugby 2018 Attendance:- 61,729

Average Blue Bulls 2018 Attendance:- 15,432 (61729/4) Continue reading “Golden Lions and Blue Bulls Super Rugby Attendances 2018”

Warren Whiteley named 58th Springbok Captain- Bok Squad to face France 2017- 31 Man Roster

Golden Lions eighthman Warren Whiteley has been named by coach Allister Coetzee as South Africa’s 58th rugby captain after the retirement of Adriaan Strauss.

While Whiteley has excelled at Super Rugby level and possesses excellent communication and leadership skills, there are a few who still doubt whether he is South Africa’s best option at 8, with his performances not quite at the level of what Duane Vermeulen produced at test level for the Boks. The Stormers loose forward was one of the best players during the Heyneke Meyer era before his departure to French outfit Toulon.

Vermeulen is one of four overseas players included in this squad, with the others being Steven Kitshoff, Francois Hougaard and Frans Steyn.

The Golden Lions (9) and Stormers (7) make up half the squad, with the Bulls (5), Sharks (4), Overseas (4) and Cheetahs (2) finishing the 31 member list. Continue reading “Warren Whiteley named 58th Springbok Captain- Bok Squad to face France 2017- 31 Man Roster”