Bulls season preview

Inspirational captain Victor Matfield is back as the Bulls aim to improve on a lowly tenth place.

Matfield back to toughen up Bulls

The Bulls would rather forget their below-par defence of the Super 14 trophy and will be expected to improve on a lowly tenth place in 2008. More than any other team, the Bulls, who had built their success on forward-dominated and structured brand of rugby, suffered under the ELVs. Added to that, the departure of Heyneke Meyer and Victor Matfield made the growing pains of the transitional period under Fans Ludeke positively agonising for the Loftus faithful. There was light at the end of the tunnel though. After a woeful start, the Pretoria side finally got their heads around the new laws and romped to four consecutive wins, including one over eventual finalists the Waratahs, to end the season. That good form was transferred into the Currie Cup where, with the Sharks, the Bulls were streaks ahead of everyone else. Influence of backs coach and former Springbok wing Pieter Rossouw was evident as the formerly one-dimensional team started running angles and spreading the ball out to wings. Despite losing a nail-biting domestic final in Durban, the Bulls looked to rediscovered their winning ways, which bodes well for 2009. The significance of Matfield's return cannot be overstated both in terms of line-out domination and leadership. Apart from a question mark over the experience of their second-choice fly-half - Francis Burton, who is said to be a real prospect for the future - there are no clear weaknesses in the Bulls squad. If key players like Bakkies Botha, Fourie du Preez and Bryan Habana stay fit the Bulls will once again be contenders for a spot in the play-offs. The draw hasn't done them any favours though as consecutive away matches against the Hurricanes, Highlanders, Crusaders, Waratahs and Brumbies make for a daunting trip across the Indian Ocean. The Bulle kick their Super 14 campaign off against the Reds on February 14 at Loftus Versfeld. Strengths: The Bulls' set pieces have been their pride for years. With the world's best locking pair and a formidable scrum in their arsenal, they can count on a solid platform from which to attack. You can't put a place on the value of having a strong home base and Pretoria has consistently been voted the least favourite place to visit in the Super 14 since Loftus Versfeld is a mighty intimidating Stadium when the Bulls fans are in full voice. Weakness: Rare were the occasions in 2008 when the Bulls played all 80 minutes of a match with fifteen men on the field. In this day and age it's impossible to compete if you're collecting yellow cards as if they were stamps. Perhaps the frustrations of a disappointing season were to blame but if the Bulls hope to get anywhere this year, the must tighten up their discipline. Noteworthy signings: Victor Matfield (Toulon), Jaco Pretorius (Lions), Dries van Schalkwyk (Boland), Noteworthy losses: Derrick Hougaard (Leicester), Wikus van Heerden (Saracens), Hilton Lobberts (Stromers), Juandré Kruger (Northampton), Paul Bosch (Stormers), Trompie Nontshinga (Cheetahs), Divan Kotze (Lions), Richard Bands (retired) Player(s) to watch: 2009 will be Jaco Pretorius' first season with the Bulls after making the short but perilous trip over the Jukskei river from the Lions in Johannesburg. A former SA Sevens captain, his running lines are superb and his ball distribution skills combined with his speed are going to add exceptional value to the Bulls. It's also time for Chiliboy Ralepelle to repay all the faith South Africa rugby has placed in him. His battle with injury has been a long and hard road, now it's time to show his mettle on the field. Bulls squad: Heini Adams, Bakkies Botha, Jacques Burger, Marius Delport, Fourie du Preez, Jaco Engels, Burton Francis, Rayno Gerber, Bryan Habana, Francois Hougaard, Wayne Julies, Zane Kirchner, Werner Kruger, Derick Kuun, Bandise Maku, Tiger Mangweni, Victor Matfield, Akona Ndungane, JP Nel, Wynand Olivier, Dewald Potgieter, Jaco Pretorius, Chiliboy Ralepelle, Danie Rossouw, Pierre Spies, Gurthro Steenkamp, Wilhelm Steenkamp, Deon Stegmann, Morne Steyn, Pedrie Wannenburg. Schedule:
14 Feb v Reds, home
21 Feb Blues, home
28 Feb v Lions, away
07 March v Stormers, home
20 March v Hurricanes, away
28 March v Highlanders, away
3 April v Crusaders, away
11 April v Waratahs, away
17 April v Brumbies, away
25 April v Chiefs, home
2 May v Force, home
9 May v Cheetahs, home
16 May v Sharks, away