The Bulls' unsung heros
May 28 2009
The Bulls success in this year's Super 14 has come from a massive team effort, but the efforts of young flank duo of Dewald Potgieter and Deon Stegmann has not gone unnoticed.
In a team bursting with Springboks, it is the contributions from the two young men that has made a real difference to the team's form throughout the season.
The platform from which fly-half Morne Steyn has been able to operate so successfully is largely from the quality ball the two flanks have provided.
Bulls technical adviser Johan van Graan has nothing but praise for the pair of dynamic youngsters.
"They make a lot of tackles and slow ball down, which is vital to the team effort," Van Graan told The Times.
"But their defence has been the key. Stegmann has a tackle efficiency of 95 per cent and has made 130 tackles this season in 679 minutes of rugby. Potgieter has made 142 tackles at 97per cent efficiency in 680 minutes."
The 23-year-old Stegmann and 22-year-old Potgieter must now compete for the Super 14 Final on Saturday as reward for all their efforts.
The two, together with Springbok number eight Pierre Spies, make a formidable back row that will offer a stiff challenge to the Chiefs come kick-off on Saturday.