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Super Rugby UnlockedBulls

Jake White's Bulls to debut hulking lock Steenkamp

Walt Steenkamp (m) (Photo By Harry Murphy/Sportsfile via Getty Images)

Giant lock Walt Steenkamp has been named at second row and will make his debut for the Vodacom Bulls when they travel to Johannesburg to face the Emirates Lions in Round 5 of Vodacom Super Rugby Unlocked at Emirates Airline Park on Saturday.

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The 25-year-old Steenkamp who is listed at 6’8 and 123kg slots, in at no.5 in the absence of former Junior Springbok Ruan Nortje who is being rested due to a little injury niggle. Steenkamp has stuck his hand up during training and now gets his opportunity to impress in a team that is enjoying their current brand of play.

The lineout has proven an effective attacking platform for the men in blue, with the Pretoria based franchise boasting a 95% success rate while only losing fewer than one lineout on their own throw in four matches to date.

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Meanwhile, at the Stormers…

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Meanwhile, at the Stormers…

The rest of the match day team remains the same as the Vodacom Bulls look to remain consistent in their performances with two matches left before the conclusion of Vodacom Super Rugby Unlocked.

“The players have done well in correcting the ship after a slow start against the Griquas and Cheetahs which is testament to their desire to go the whole nine yards and secure silverware. However, our job is not yet done and we will have to have our wits about us when we face the Lions who will be confident after a strong performance last weekend,” said Vodacom Bulls Director of Rugby, Jake White.

Vodacom Bulls: 15. David Kriel, 14. Travis Ismaiel, 13. Stedman Gans, 12. Cornal Hendricks, 11. Kurt-Lee Arendse, 10. Morné Steyn, 9. Ivan van Zyl, 8. Duane Vermeulen (C), 7. Elrigh Louw, 6. Marco van Staden, 5. Walt Steenkamp, 4. Jason Jenkins, 3. Trevor Nyakane, 2. Johan Grobbelaar, 1. Jacques van Rooyen.

Replacements: 16. Joe van Zyl, 17. Gerhard Steenekamp, 18. Marcel van der Merwe, 19. Sintu Manjezi, 20. Nizaam Carr, 21. Embrose Papier, 22. Chris Smith, 23. Marco Jansen van Vuren.

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Comments on RugbyPass

J
JW 19 minutes ago
Half-back depth is the flaw in 'Razor's' 4-4-4 Rugby World Cup plan

Trying to use patterns too much, as JH said overlying on experience, or ‘crutchs', fads too mch (as in not just a thing to help him in his first year). He would use replacements last year because the required momentum had not been able to be stamped on the game before they inclusion. He has addressed both of these problems so what we saw with last weeks selection was they way he responds to fixing them. This is just setting a new pattern. We’ll have to see if he can address them further. Also, the way he sees players players/relationships, even himself, his intensity, I certainly don’t think is the same tone as someone like Hansen who has a more outer self appearance. Damn, there a much more that have been in the spotlight but I won’t go there.


Basically just an ability of being able to see the wood for the trees, or probably for me, the other way around would be more accurate.

130 Go to comments
O
Over the sideline 33 minutes ago
Leicester Fainga'anuku denied All Blacks eligibility for TRC

But it must apply to him as they have stated he won’t be part of TRC?????

I think that’s a bit OTT but in happy he needs to earn his selection.

23 Go to comments
J
JW 36 minutes ago
Half-back depth is the flaw in 'Razor's' 4-4-4 Rugby World Cup plan

That’s not a thing you need to learn, it’s something that’s been utilized for well over a decade. It’s perhaps something you have to go so far back in the All Blacks catalog of teachings that he hadn’t had time to get to it? lol


If it wasn’t clear, this isn’t what I said happened, its just what I would fear more than MO’s take. So to add to my second para, I conclude that thought by saying I think you’re right that it was a good learning experience, as my actual take from that game was that Razor tried to use his top squad against Italy so that they’d have a chance of putting 50, or even 100 on them, and in so doing, gain the squad a huge confidence boost which had been lacking. I think that is more likely than him just not realising that if it turned into a real battle that fresher guys would have been better.

130 Go to comments
B
BW 46 minutes ago
Leicester Fainga'anuku denied All Blacks eligibility for TRC

What a load of rubbish

23 Go to comments
J
JW 48 minutes ago
Half-back depth is the flaw in 'Razor's' 4-4-4 Rugby World Cup plan

Sure do, great point about Leroy too, as that’s not the sort of player/role I factored into the 4+4+4 list I made. You could certainly see him uniquely skilled impact players some into contention, like Lester as a loose forward, that Saifoloi dude could easily be a SBW type in the backline option as loosy etc.

130 Go to comments
J
JW 56 minutes ago
Half-back depth is the flaw in 'Razor's' 4-4-4 Rugby World Cup plan

Who, Blackadder? No not complete rubbish. If someone else is injured maybe that means he isn’t for once and can fill in?


I’m not sure if Parker was referenced as not being able to be included in this squad, but I’m pretty sure Razor said he wanted Blackadder as an injury replacement (ahead of CLW?) but, you guessed it, he was injured. I too would like to see more of Howden and few other of the 1.96-1.98m locks.

130 Go to comments
J
JW 1 hour ago
Half-back depth is the flaw in 'Razor's' 4-4-4 Rugby World Cup plan

Ah, yes, agreed. Razor is a bit crazy init he.

130 Go to comments
J
JW 1 hour ago
Half-back depth is the flaw in 'Razor's' 4-4-4 Rugby World Cup plan

And someone that can tackle like a 7 too , not just a over the ball hog. He was coming from the side and taking players down before those straight in front could. Loved it.

130 Go to comments
J
JW 1 hour ago
Half-back depth is the flaw in 'Razor's' 4-4-4 Rugby World Cup plan

More like 113kg, you can refence an article on him bulking up a few years ago.


Fairly similar player to Tizzano, as well as Curry (kinda defeating my point here). Tizzano said he was under 100 last year and the boss said he wasn’t big enough for International footy and to put on 10kgs over the break. He said it felt so good that after adding 10 he just kept going, and as you saw, he bossed the much raved about big lions backrow.

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U
Utiku Old Boy 1 hour ago
Leicester Fainga'anuku denied All Blacks eligibility for TRC

I can understand why NZR made this decision for NZ based players who have competed against each other for months on end. LF is not excluded from AB rugby in 2025, but let’s see what you got against your provincial competitors. If you are in form, autumn NH tests are the opportunity to test that. Otherwise, a walk-in is not guaranteed - no matter your NH form or the level you had achieved in 2023.

23 Go to comments
J
JW 1 hour ago
Lion taming lock Franco Molina swaps Gallagher PREM for Super Rugby

Nice acquisition, Force were a Force last year until the starters tired, will make them a lot better.


Really nice to see them lure in another Argie as well, would love for the ‘Super’ leagues to be able to transfer players around together if they can’t enter a team into Super Rugby proper.

2 Go to comments
J
JW 1 hour ago
Fissler Confidential: All Black to give Falcons wings

Finlay would be a great club man for Newcastle to launch off, he’s good with the loosies as well as being comfortable with quality 10’s. Would be a solid addition to Scotlands WC squad as well.

3 Go to comments
J
JW 1 hour ago
Fissler Confidential: All Black to give Falcons wings

That’s an appropriate level for Newcastle.

3 Go to comments
J
JB 1 hour ago
Leicester Fainga'anuku denied All Blacks eligibility for TRC

That policy is for overseas based players. Leicester is home based now.

23 Go to comments
d
d 1 hour ago
Half-back depth is the flaw in 'Razor's' 4-4-4 Rugby World Cup plan

totally agree that this should be the route they take with Love. He has the confidence and the talent, but needs experience to temper the decision making, one area where it wouldn’t be hard to surpass both BB and DM.

130 Go to comments
J
JB 1 hour ago
Leicester Fainga'anuku denied All Blacks eligibility for TRC

If only there was a way to have watched his progress overseas?? Anyone able to think of one? Oh maybe it was televised?

23 Go to comments
J
JB 1 hour ago
Leicester Fainga'anuku denied All Blacks eligibility for TRC

NZRFU continues to make mistakes. The guy is back and playing in NZ and they make more rules to block him. WTF just let him play!

23 Go to comments
S
SR 2 hours ago
Half-back depth is the flaw in 'Razor's' 4-4-4 Rugby World Cup plan

Such as?

130 Go to comments
S
SR 2 hours ago
Half-back depth is the flaw in 'Razor's' 4-4-4 Rugby World Cup plan

It's hardly an obsession! Ok so he played LLB who's day I think is done .But 10 changes against France in 3rd game when France fielded what NH pundits said was far closer to a B team tann C with all but 3 players capped is hardly the yips.

130 Go to comments
S
SR 2 hours ago
Half-back depth is the flaw in 'Razor's' 4-4-4 Rugby World Cup plan

It was his first year no international experience and he learns fast and owns his mistakes. I'm pretty the hopeful were tracking in the right direction

Leroy Carter a definite for me. Lester's been playing midfield and we have Timoci as 12 as well

130 Go to comments
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