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Bulls CEO says 'we have a potential crisis on our hands' as roster set to implode with mass Springbok exodus

Ruan Steenkamp with Jesse Kriel of the Bulls (Photo by Steve Haag/Gallo Images/Getty Images)

South African Super Rugby franchise the Bulls has a potential crisis on their hands as a number of high profile Springboks head for the exit following the Rugby World Cup.

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Springbok centre Jesse Kriel, who is to undergo ankle surgery and miss the next eight weeks, has reportedly informed the Bulls of his intention to take up a contract in the Japanese Top League with the Canon Eagles under former coach Alister Coetzee after the Rugby World Cup according to Rapport.

The loss of Kriel would be a major blow for the Bulls, with the 25-year-old midfielder just hitting his peak. The uncertainty surrounding the playing roster is playing a part in the departures according to lock Lood de Jager, who just announced his signing with the Sale Sharks a week ago.

“Look, it’s tough in South Africa at present,” he told Rapport.

“At the Bulls, no one knows who’s leaving and who’s staying.

“The way things are currently going in the overseas market, there are a number of guys who don’t know if they’ll still be at Loftus next year – guys like Jesse (Kriel), Handre (Pollard), Duane (Vermeulen), Schalk (Brits) and RG (Snyman).”

“It’s tough to sign a deal at the Bulls while there is uncertainty about a number of the team’s top players.”

Handre Pollard was rumoured to be a target as a replacement for former All Black Aaron Cruden at French giants Montpellier, should they release Cruden over the summer. It was reported that Pollard had been offered a deal worth around €1.2m per year, however, the Bulls made a statement saying they were ‘aware’ of interest in the flyhalf but believed no formal offer had been made.

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With the news of Kriel’s impending departure, Bulls CEO Alfons Meyer has admitted the club has a potential ‘crisis’ and ‘a big loss’ but refused to elaborate further.

“We have a potential crisis on our hands. It’ll be a big loss, but we can’t say much about it at the moment,” Bulls CEO Alfons Meyer said.

Bulls coach Human Pote and Handre Pollard after Stormers loss:

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SC 2 hours ago
New All Blacks locks squeezing captain Barrett out of contention

As a former lock, it’s frustrating that most media and supporters do not know that there is a significant difference in the roles and duties (even body types) of a 4 power tight lock and 5 aerial loose lock.


The 4 lock is an enforcer who is very physical and carries hard in tight, a very effective nasty ruck cleaner, a very powerful scrummager behind the tighthead, and hard hitting defender. Often the are the second lineout option at the back. This is the spot Scott Barrett and Patrick Tuipulotu, Isaiah Walker- Leawere play. Big tough hard men. Think Bakkies Botha and Brodie Retallick.


The 5 lock is almost always taller and leaner as their primary responsibility is winning the ball in the air on lineouts and restarts. Height is essential. They clean a ton of rucks and make a lot of tackles but their carries tend to be out wider in space and which requires more athleticism than tight lock. This is where Holland, Va’ai, and Darry play. Think Victor Matfield and Sam Whitelock.


My point is Holland is way too lean in his body shape at this point, and too inexperienced, and not quite enough mongrel to play 4. Give him time to physically mature and harden up. He is playing great at 5 and Va’ai looks very good at 6.


And if Hamish believes that Tuipulotu has suddenly become a better tight lock at test level over Barrett based on two performances vs France B god bless him but I’ll base my decision over their career test form, which Barrett has clearly been superior. I do like Tuipulotu as a bench lock playing the last 20-25 minutes for Barrett with a 6-2 bench.

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