Bulls add veterans with power and skill

WE ARE now just over two weeks away from the start of this year’s Super Rugby competition and the three-time champion Bulls have made three significant and familiar signings ahead of the 2020 campaign.

We profile the three men ahead of Sunday’s Marvel character-inspired Superhero Sunday double-header at the FNB Stadium.

JUANDRE KRUGER

There was a time when the now 34-year-old lock was considered the so-called next big thing and man to take over from Victor Matfield as the Springbok line-out kingpin.

While he played 17 Tests for the Boks around 2012/13 and was a regular starter, the 1.99m tall lock never became a Bok mainstay.

But having played for the Bulls previously – between 2008 and

2013 – as well as Northampton Saints, Racing Metro, Toulon and the Scarlets, Kruger has heaps of experience and he’s sure to want to show South African rugby fans he is the real deal.

As a senior in the squad he’ll take on a major leadership role and his knowledge of the game and line-out play will surely be a major boost for a Bulls team that is desperate to reach the highs of yesteryear.

JOSH STRAUSS

The last time South Africans saw the versatile Strauss close up was between 2010 and 2012 when as a youngster he made his mark as captain of the Lions under coach John Mitchell.

Strauss became something of a cult hero at the Lions, whom he led to Currie Cup glory in 2011, but he will now wear the blue of the Bulls following his move back to South Africa from Europe.

The 33-year-old loose forward, who can also play lock, previously ran out for Glasgow Warriors, the Sale Sharks and Stade Francais.

He also played for Scotland, earning 15 caps, including featuring at the 2015 Rugby World Cup.

He, like the two other big signings, brings experience to the Bulls’ set-up, but will be involved in a constant battle for a starting spot this year.

With his trademark beard, Strauss is sure to win over new fans in the coming months.

MORNE STEYN

What more can one say about the British and Irish Lions slayer of 2010?

The only thing the experienced flyhalf hasn’t done is win a World Cup, but the former Bulls hero will hope to add to the Super Rugby titles he won the last time he featured for the Pretoria-based team.

Steyn is back in blue after spending the last seven years playing for Stade Francais and he’s sure to be as deadly as ever with his trusty right boot, which helped the Boks beat the British and Irish Lions 10 years ago now.

While an experienced campaigner with a good kicking game, but also sound distribution skills, the 35-yearold will have it all to do to keep the younger and perhaps hungrier flyhalves at bay this season.

Playing for the Boks on 66 occasions, though, is not to be sniffed at and he’s sure to add great value to the Bulls set-up over the coming months.