Ndungane blames defence for Bulls’ bungling
under instead of looking for gaps in the defence.
But McFarland is adamant the Boks can also mix it with New Zealand. “It suits us as much as it suits them,” he insisted.
Meanwhile, WP tighthead prop Frans Malherbe is set to join the Bok squad today after being called up yesterday as cover for the injured Jannie du Plessis (hamstring) and Pat Cilliers (elbow). Both front-rankers did not take part in yesterday’s practice in Auckland, and the situation may see today’s Bok team announcement delayed.
Malherbe’s selection ahead of experienced CJ van der Linde and four-cap Test prop Werner Kruger came unexpectedly, as he has endured some difficult times for the Stormers and WP in the scrums this year. But the 21-year-old did train with the Bok squad during the England series in June as one of six promising youngsters.
“Frans’s call-up is purely precautionary as our two tighthead props on tour are struggling with injuries,” coach Heyneke Meyer said. “Neither Jannie (du Plessis) nor Pat (Cilliers) trained but we’ve decided to give them time to regain their fitness. Frans has been with us before, and he knows our calls and moves. He’s young and has a bright future.”
Suspended lock Eben Etzebeth started his long trek home yesterday, and will be replaced by Flip van der Merwe at No 4 on Saturday, with veteran Bakkies Botha not being called up to the squad.
The rest of the team that lost to Australia will stay the same, with Morné Steyn beating off the challenge of Johan Goosen for the flyhalf berth. But Goosen struck the ball sweetly in a goalkicking session in swirling wind during practice yesterday, and may get more than just 10 minutes’ game time on Saturday. SPRINGBOK and long-time Blue Bulls servant Akona Ndungane has blamed himself and his teammates for the woeful performances in the past two weeks which has seen the Bulls sink to the bottom of the Absa Currie Cup log.
The 31-year-old Ndungane, the oldest player in the team and the most experienced with 72 Currie Cup caps, says the time has come for the players to restore the pride in the Bulls jersey and repay the faith coach Pine Pienaar has shown in them after dismal displays against Western Province and the Golden Lions.
The Bulls are rooted to the bottom of the log and defeat to Griquas in Kimberley on Saturday could make them prime candidates to play in the promotion-relegation match against the winners of the Currie Cup first division.
Ndungane has called on his teammates, especially the senior players, to lead from the front.
“It is not only up to me, even though I am the only player in the backline with a good deal of experience; it is also up to the other senior players to make that step up.
“It is the whole team that has not been performing, from the forwards to the backs. We senior players need to make that step up and lead the youngsters. Hopefully this weekend we can turn things around,” said Ndungane yesterday.
Ndungane, who has won two Currie Cup titles with the Bulls, believes that a turnaround in fortunes should get the team back on track to making the play-offs in October.
“We set high standards for ourselves and to be where we are now is not where we want to be. We know what is at stake and what we need to do to give ourselves a chance to be in the play-offs,” continued Ndungane.
While the Bulls have shown intent with two wins against the Griquas and the Sharks, Ndungane believes that the team’s poor defence has been their biggest problem and it is not a coaching matter but one that should be blamed on individual players.
Ndungane ruled out the fact that the absence of defence coach John McFarland, now with the Springboks, has contributed to the demise of the Bulls defensive structure.
“I think at the moment what is letting us down is the defence. We’ve leaked four tries in three consecutive games. I think that is the main issue and we have been speaking about it among the players and coaching staff. I think if you score three tries and the opposition scores four tries against you, there is no way you are going to win the game. If we can change that we’ll definitely see good results.”
“Defence is all about attitude. John’s (McFarland’s) structures are there and everyone has been through them with the exception of two guys and we all know how we defend as a team.”
While the Bulls work on defence, Pienaar seems to have made up his mind on the makeup of his team to face Griquas. Centre Ullrich Beyers is likely to replace the under-performing Johann Sadie with Rudy Paige expected to debut at scrumhalf in place of Ruan Snyman and Jurgen Visser coming in for Clayton Blommetjies at fullback.