Chief executive Edgar Rathbone insists the Vodacom Bulls will not use a “rebuilding phase” as a crutch next season despite the departures of several key players.
The Bulls are set to lose Kurt-Lee Arendse and Ruan Nortjé to Japan and Wilco Louw will be returning to the Stormers, while utility back David Kriel is also heading overseas.
Rathbone admits losing a host of stars at once will be a blow, but succession planning at Loftus is already in place.
“It’s an unavoidable cycle for any team,” he told Netwerk24. “It’s not ideal to lose those Springboks and a player like David Kriel at the same time.
“But the word ‘rebuilding phase’ is taboo at the Bulls.”
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Replacing Nortjé, who has played 148 matches for the Bulls, will be one of the franchise’s biggest challenges. Locks Nicolaas Janse van Rensburg, JF van Heerden and Reinhardt Ludwig are expected to push for bigger roles.
Rathbone acknowledges replacing powerhouse tighthead Louw would be almost impossible, but backs Mornay Smith and Francois Klopper to step up.
“Replacing someone like Wilco is basically impossible,” he said. “But they’ve both played good rugby this season.”
The Bulls are expected to bolster their squad with several new arrivals, including Luan Giliomee, Thaakir Abrahams and Dylan Maart.
Former Sharks flyhalf Curwin Bosch has also been earmarked to join the Herd.
Photo: Gordon Arons/Gallo Images
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Chief executive Edgar Rathbone insists the Vodacom Bulls will not use a “rebuilding phase” as a crutch next season despite the departures of several key players.
The post Bulls CEO: No hiding behind ‘rebuild’ excuse appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
