The Pundits preview The Bulls 2017 Super Rugby Squad

The Bulls have had a few disappointing season’s in Super Rugby in recent years, but this year there seems to be a good buzz around their supporters and camp.

Having lost loads of talent to overseas clubs in seasons past, it’s seems like this year they have managed to keep hold of a lot of their talent we got to see during the 2016 Currie Cup.

In 2016 we saw the Bulls finish nine points behind Africa 1 Conference winners, the Stormers, and in the end just one point behind the Sharks who took the African Conference wildcard slot in the overall table.

Overall, the Bulls managed to win only nine out of their 16 matches last season and this is a statistic they will want to improve this season.

This squad has a group of talent at the back, but this is not usually where games are won and lost at this level, so it will be crucial for the Bulls staff to get the right combinations upfront.

Handre Pollard is back for the Pretoria based side this season and the squad will also see a new face in Lood de Jager wearing the baby blue colours.

Overall, we  are expecting the Bulls to have a decent 2017 and they are one of picks for the playoffs this season.

The Panel’s Thoughts:

@JudgeRugy:

“The Bulls are on an upward curve and will surprise many this year. Often a team everyone loves to hate, they, along with the Lions, will be flying the SA flag this season. Pollard & Gelant are going to be sublime if both remain fit and will be well supported with talent all-round them in the backs. There is oodles of talent in the pack too with huge ball carriers setting up a perfect platform for their backs and strike runners. They get their campaign off with 2 SA derbies away from home, they need to set that foundation well and win these games to take some pressure off”

@OdinKuun:

“With the return to fitness of Loftus’s new ‘liefling’ Handre Pollard and the recruitment of Lood de Jager, the intent and desire to return to the play-offs (something they haven’t done since 2013) is clear and with a young, talented and hungry squad they might pull off some surprises this year, if not it will be labelled another ‘rebuilding year’. Any success will hinge on two sets of back-to-back matches with the New Zealand sides and how they fair with fellow Africa Conference 1 rivals STOOOOMEEEERS (cough, cough… sorry). The question is whether they have the maturity and confidence to go deep in the tournament but ending their play-off drought is definitely possible.”

@Justus_Beets:

“I’m very excited about this team. And I’m not even from the church of Loftus. Why will 2017 be different from 2016? Most of these players have been playing together for a while and they won’t be naïve about the tough questions that they will be asked to answer to in Super rugby. The prodigal son of SA rugby, Handre Pollard,also set for a welcome return and he might just be the lead actor their script is asking for. Prediction: Bulls to (at the very least) top the Africa 1 conference.”

@Hoerboer:

“Another young, exciting squad. The big question is will Lood de Jager feature at the Bulls this year? Playing for a position against Snyman, Jenkins and Nonkontwana. I don’t think making Pollard captain was a great idea. Too much pressure on his comeback might see him struggle to find form. Some exciting u/20 Bokkie players coming through. All eyes on Jan Serfontein this year. The Boks need him to have a good year.

Players to watch: Abongile Nonkontwana, Shaun Adendorff and Luther Obi”