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Andries Bekker believes Vodacom Bulls co-captain Ruan Nortje, among the many kids referred to as into the Springbok alignment camp, has the potential to develop into a Take a look at common. DYLAN JACK studies.
Nortje is one in every of 12 Vodacom Bulls gamers who will likely be participating within the 43-man alignment camp, held over two days in Cape City within the first week of March.
The 25-year-old made his Take a look at debut in its place within the second Take a look at of the July collection towards Wales in 2022, which is his solely look for the Boks up to now.
Nonetheless, named as Bulls co-captain with Marcell Coetzee, Nortje has loved an influential URC season, along with his work-rate and command of the lineout key to their push for a top-four end.
Former Springbok lock Bekker, who has labored carefully with Nortje because the Bulls’ forwards coach, believes his prodigy can add many extra Take a look at caps to his tally.
“I believe Ruan has had a improbable season up to now,” Bekker mentioned. “His damage set him again just a little bit. When he’s match-fit, then he’ll start working. However he’s intelligent and he’s one in every of our leaders.
“I hope he can play a lot of Checks for the Springboks.
“The one wonderful thing about Ruan is that he’s very good. He understands the sport. His common data is excellent. One among Ruan’s higher attributes is his management. He’s calm, good and clear which makes it easer for us.
“The factor I picked up early in pre-season was to work on his fundamentals, his lineout and leaping ability. He’s very good along with his decision-making and the way we plan the week. It was simply these finer abilities that we labored on. He’s not good, however he’s getting there.”
Bekker, who began his teaching profession in Japan after hanging up his boots in 2018, is impressed with the depth that the Vodacom Bulls have of their pack.
“Reinhardt Ludwig is likely one of the golden finds of the season up to now. He’s intelligent and he desires to maintain getting higher. I believe his workrate is one thing that makes him particular.
“For him, it’s simpler as a result of he’s studying from Ruan, who is likely one of the higher locks within the nation.
“They’re younger gamers. The opposite younger lock we now have is JF van Heerden, who is nineteen and hasn’t performed for us within the URC but. The depth we now have at lock is excellent.
“At unfastened forwards we now have younger guys like Mpilo [Gumede] who wish to work onerous and get higher. Then we now have skilled guys like Marcell and Wilco [Louw]. So it’s a younger squad however it’s thrilling to see how they wish to enhance.”
Picture: @BlueBullsRugby/Twitter
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