Marcell Coetzee Jake White Harold Vorster Johan Goosen Johan Grobbelaar South Africa Japan Pretoria URC Bulls Rugby as Marcell Coetzee Jake White Harold Vorster Johan Goosen Johan Grobbelaar South Africa Japan Pretoria

Ruan Nortje's meteoric rise continues as new Bulls skipper: 'I'll talk, but not too much'

news24.com

Ruan Nortje's meteoric rise towards becoming one of South Africa's leading second rowers continued on Thursday after he was, perhaps a bit surprisingly, installed as the Bulls' new full-time captain for the rest of the season.The 24-year-old, who emerged from relative obscurity to become a pillar of Jake White's pack, has been roped in to be the influential Marcell Coetzee's successor after he departed for a sabbatical in Japan.Coetzee will play for Kobe Steelers over the next few months before returning to Loftus, where he has a contract until 2027."It's an unbelievable privilege to be handed this role.

I've been really blessed with my achievements this year," said Nortje, who in mid-year made his Springbok debut against Wales."I'm grateful for the opportunities I've been granted."Nortje, who labels himself as a proverbial doer more than a talker, won't be overburdened by the first major leadership role of his entire career as he has two experienced deputies in Harold Vorster and Johan Goosen.He can also count on several other teammates in his age category who've been added to the wider leadership corps - Elrigh Louw, Johan Grobbelaar - as well as veterans Cornal Hendricks and Nizaam Carr."I definitely see myself as the guy that leads by example.

I wouldn't say I don't talk much, but I'm definitely not going to talk too much either," said Nortje."We have enough leaders in this group to fulfil various roles.

It's an exciting dynamic and a comfort to have trusted men to fall back on."Nortje's appointment also says much about the type of culture White is cultivating in Pretoria, one where age clearly doesn't automatically translate into rank."There's a massive overall mutual respect within our group," he said."It doesn't

Related News
Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc says he gained no satisfaction from finishing second, between the two Red Bulls, in the Driver's Championship this season.
Brazilian football legend Pele's health continues improving, but no date has been set for his release from hospital, where he was admitted nearly two weeks ago, doctors said Monday.
Conor Benn has broken his silence on his failed drugs test and vowed: "The truth will soon come out."
Brazilian football legend Pele's health continues improving, but no date has been set for his release from hospital, where he was admitted nearly two weeks ago, doctors said Monday. 
When Wolves had one of the best defensive records in Europe last season and Romain Saiss seemed to be in the form of his life, Bruno Lage came up with a new nickname for an otherwise unheralded centre-back: “The Moroccan Maldini,” reports www.independent.co.uk.

Latest News

Change privacy settings
This page might use cookies if your analytics vendor requires them.