'Ralepelle easy choice as captain'
by Brenden Nel 09 February 2012, 16:28
The Vodacom Bulls may only be playing a pre-season friendly against the Toyota Cheetahs in Polokwane this weekend, but in many respects it is much more important than that.
The Bulls will have their first full outing for their first choice players against a battle-hardened Cheetahs that have already downed the Stormers and Kings in their more extensive pre-season campaign, and with it will want another scalp as Naka Drotske’s team continues to build towards the season.
But for the Bulls there is more than just a result to play for. Having signed a three-year deal to play a game in Polokwane before the Super Rugby season begins, they are also very much on a mission to please their fans.
Their captain is Chiliboy Ralepelle, who in Pierre Spies’s absence, will get the opportunity to lead the Bulls in his own hometown and who will also get the opportunity to establish himself as the incumbent hooker and possible future leader of the team.
According to coach Frans Ludeke it was an easy decision to appoint Ralepelle as captain after injuries to Spies and vice-captain Wynand Olivier.
“Pierre’s injury isn’t major, he was taken out as a precaution and should be on the sidelines for about five to eight days. We’re not really worried about it,” Ludeke said.
“We have a good group of leaders that are there to help Chili. We have confidence in Chili and he comes from Polokwane and we want to give him that confidence to lead the team. He certainly has the ability. It was an easy decision to make for us.”
And while it is still a clash of old rivals, the Bulls coach was not giving anything away, saying this game was more about getting the intensity of a live match going than of being surprised by the opposition.
“At this stage of the season it isn’t about the tactical aspects of the game so much. Both teams need the contact of 80 minutes of rugby,” Ludeke explained.
“Both teams need to be between those four lines. They are a great team and their win over the Stormers showed how good they can be. They’re a Super Rugby team and we need that intensity of play. It is all about all those battles, both teams know each other and nobody will do anything new. There won’t be surprises.”
Preceding the big clash on Saturday, the Bulls and Cheetahs B sides will clash at Loftus Versfeld on Friday afternoon where some great up and coming talent will be on display.