URC
Vermaak eager for first full season at Vodacom Bulls
The Vodacom Bulls will begin their 2022/23 Vodacom United Rugby Championship campaign against an old foe – the Emirates Lions – and in the Tshwane-based side’s arsenal will be a man who knows the opposition side intimately, that is utility forward, Ruan Vermaak.
The hard-working and versatile 24-year-old will begin his first full season with the Vodacom Bulls after joining the side towards the back end of their 2021/22 campaign.
Vermaak, who represented the Emirates Lions in the Vodacom Super Rugby competition before heading to Japan to play for NTT Docomo Red Hurricanes from 2021, expressed his anticipation for the new season.
“I’m excited to be here and for the season ahead. We have taken a slightly different approach to our pre-season and the preparations are going exceptionally well. Everyone is excited to now play. We have all been working hard to be ready for the season,” said Vermaak.
The former SA Schools ‘A’ and Junior Springbok player had a small taste of what it is like representing the Vodacom Bulls when he made his debut for the side in the Carling Currie Cup, in a clash against eventual champions, Airlink Pumas, and he was also part of the squad that travelled to Wales to take on Ospreys in the Vodacom URC that same month.
He is ecstatic to be part of the Vodacom Bulls side under director of rugby, Jake White, who was the one who enticed the former Monument High School pupil to move to Loftus Versfeld.
“It was early in the year when I received a message from Coach Jake while I was still in Japan, and he asked if I was keen to join the Vodacom Bulls. As soon as the offer came, I didn’t have to even think about it, I signed,” said Vermaak.
“I really enjoyed my time in Japan and I’m grateful for the opportunity to have played there. I really learnt a lot given the different style of rugby – a running, quicker game. As South Africans, we have been used to a more physical type of rugby. I’m quite happy to have had an opportunity to add that aspect to my rugby.
“Now it is really amazing and a privilege to be in a group with such talented individuals here at Loftus. Playing alongside the talent we have here at the Vodacom Bulls brings out the best in a player. Every day we work hard to prove that we can compete within the team and add value. I consider myself very fortunate to be in this position.
“I really hope that I can contribute as much as possible, wherever and whenever the team feels I can add value on and off the field.”
In their season-opening match, the Vodacom Bulls will travel south to Johannesburg, where they will take on rivals, Emirates Lions in the long-standing Jukskei Derby.
Vermaak has been involved in a few cross-Jukskei battles and knows exactly what it is all about. He is now eager to represent the Vodacom Bulls when the new season gets underway.
“The Jukskei Derby goes back many, many years. It is one of South Africa’s biggest rugby rivalries. I am fortunate to be one of few who can say that they experienced it on both sides,” he said.
“I was on the opposition side for most of the derbies I have played in. For the Emirates Lions, a game against the Vodacom Bulls is always hyped up and they just want to make a statement, and it is always a good game.
“It is very important for us to start off the season on a strong note. We want to start with a win and will go into that gave wanting to give it our all. We are all looking forward to getting the season off to a start.”
Having played Vodacom Super Rugby, Carling Currie Cup and in the Japanese league, the lofty forward is keen to get some Vodacom URC and Heineken Cup mileage behind his name going into the 2022/23 season.
“The Vodacom URC has proven to be a tough competition where we get to face teams like Leinster and Munster, and we are able to measure ourselves against those top teams with talented players,” he said.
“It’s really a great milestone for South African rugby to have had two teams reaching the final and dominating throughout the previous season. We will be looking at continuing to grow in the Vodacom URC as well as the Heineken Champions Cup. I’m really excited for the season that lies ahead.”
Content & Images from – Vodacom Bulls Rugby
The Munster squad have started preparations at the HPC ahead of Saturday’s sold-out clash against the All Blacks XV at Thomond Park (5.30pm).
The game will be exclusively live-streamed on Access Munster, sign up here.
Pinergy, Munster Rugby’s official energy partner, are the presenting partners for the clash.
On the injury front, there were no fresh concerns following Saturday’s clash against the Sharks in Durban.
Peter O’Mahony (hamstring), who has been included in Ireland’s Autumn Nations Series squad but is continuing his rehabilitation at the HPC, will increase his training load this week. His availability for this weekend’s clash against the All Blacks XV will be determined later in the week.
Brian Gleeson (shoulder) and Diarmuid Kilgallen (leg) came through the weekend with no issues after returning to action with Garryowen in the AIL.
On the international front, Tadhg Beirne, Craig Casey, Jack Crowley, Conor Murray, Calvin Nash and Alex Kendellen have travelled to Portugal with the Ireland squad ahead of the Autumn Nations Series.
Continuing to rehab: Shane Daly (leg), Jeremy Loughman (knee), Alex Nankivell (hip), Josh Wycherley (neck), Mark Donnelly (ankle), Dave Kilcoyne (ankle), Oli Jager (neck), Liam Coombes (leg), Thaakir Abrahams (thigh), Patrick Campbell (shoulder), Cian Hurley (knee), Edwin Edogbo (Achilles), Roman Salanoa (knee).
Tickets
Saturday, November 2
Munster v All Blacks XV, Thomond Park, 5.30pm; SOLD OUT – Watch live on Access Munster here
URC Round 7: Saturday, November 30
Munster v Emirates Lions, Thomond Park, 7.35pm; Buy tickets here
Champions Cup Round 1: Saturday, December 7
Munster v Stade Francais, Thomond Park, 5:30pm; Buy tickets here
Champions Cup Round 3: Saturday, January 11
Munster v Saracens, Thomond Park, 5.30pm; Buy tickets here
URC Round 9: Friday, December 27
Munster v Leinster, Thomond Park, 7.35pm; Buy tickets here
URC Round 11: Saturday, February 15
Munster v Scarlets, Thomond Park, 5.15pm; Buy tickets here
URC Round 12: Friday, February 28
Munster v Edinburgh, Virgin Media Park, 7.35pm; Buy tickets here
URC Round 15: Saturday, April 19
Munster v Bulls, Thomond Park, 5.15pm; Buy tickets here
URC Round 17: Friday, May 9
Munster v Ulster, Thomond Park, 7.35pm; Buy tickets here
URC Round 18: Friday, May 16
Munster v Benetton, Virgin Media Park, 8pm; Buy tickets here
Images & Content from Munster Rugby
Ulster ready for interpro derby against Connacht in Belfast
41 minutes ago
Fixture News
Ulster Head Coach, Richie Murphy, has named his Ulster side to take on Connacht on Saturday night in Round 4 of the BKT United Rugby Championship (kick-off 8pm).
Iain Henderson captains the side and is joined in the second row by Kieran Treadwell.
Prop, Andrew Warwick, and lock, Alan O’Connor, are in line for their 200th Ulster caps this weekend.
Limited tickets are still available for Saturday’s big game via the link below.
Warwick starts at loosehead prop, joined by experienced hooker, John Andrew, and Irish international prop, Tom O’Toole, at tighthead prop.
In the back row, David McCann, starts as the openside flanker, with Sean Reffell starting on the blindside.
Nick Timoney starts at eight and marks a milestone of his own, making his 150th cap for Ulster.
The half-back partnership this weekend sees John Cooney start alongside Aidan Morgan, who has two tries in his opening three matches for Ulster.
After scoring a superb individual try against the Bulls last weekend, Jacob Stockdale, starts on the left wing, with Werner Kok making his first start at Kingspan Stadium on the right wing.
Jude Postlethwaite returns to the team, following an impressive Emerging Ireland tour, that saw the Lisburn man score a try against Western Force last weekend, before being released to play for the province.
He starts at inside centre and is joined by Stewart Moore, who scored a great try last weekend against the Bulls.
Ethan McIlroy starts at full-back, completing the back-field.
Murphy opts for a 5:3 split on the bench, with James McCormick, Callum Reid, Corrie Barrett, Alan O’Connor and Marcus Rea providing the forward replacement options.
Nathan Doak, Ben Carson and Mike Lowry provide the back options from the bench.
Ulster Rugby v Connacht Rugby, Saturday 12 October, 8pm, Kingspan Stadium (Live on BBC Two, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sounds, Premier Sports and TG4):
(1-8) Andrew Warwick, John Andrew, Tom O’Toole, Iain Henderson (C), Kieran Treadwell, David McCann, Sean Reffell, Nick Timoney;
(15-9) Ethan McIlroy, Werner Kok, Stewart Moore, Jude Postlethwaite, Jacob Stockdale, Aidan Morgan, John Cooney.
Replacements: James McCormick, Callum Reid, Corrie Barrett, Alan O’Connor, Marcus Rea, Nathan Doak, Ben Carson, Mike Lowry.
The Opposition:
Images & Content – Ulster Rugby
The Munster squad started preparations on Monday ahead of Saturday’s URC round four clash against Leinster at Croke Park (5.45pm).
In player news, Seán O’Brien returns from the Emerging Ireland tour to South Africa ahead of Saturday’s game.
Following Munster’s win over Ospreys on Saturday, Oli Jager (neck) and Peter O’Mahony (hamstring) are both going for scans and are unavailable this weekend.
Mike Haley has a leg contusion and his availability will be determined later in the week.
There is good news for Tom Ahern (ankle) and Alex Nankivell (shoulder) as they are both returning to training this week. Their respective availability for Croke Park will be determined later in the week.
Ruadhán Quinn is following the return to play protocols and his availability will be determined later in the week.
Billy Burns is increasing his training exposure this week and the out-half’s availability will be determined later in the week.
Shane Daly is unlikely to be available this week as he continues to recover from an elbow injury.
Thaakir Abrahams sustained a low-grade thigh injury against Zebre and is unavailable this week.
Long-term absentees Rory Scannell (ankle) and Paddy Patterson (knee) are making good progress and will increase their training exposure this week.
Patrick Campbell will have surgery on a shoulder injury he sustained in AIL action last month.
Josh Wycherley will visit a specialist this week for a neck injury.
Continuing to rehab: Liam Coombes (leg), Diarmuid Kilgallen (leg), Brian Gleeson (shoulder), Cian Hurley (knee), Edwin Edogbo (achilles), Roman Salanoa (knee).
Tickets
Saturday, November 2
Munster v All Blacks XV, Thomond Park, 5.30pm; SOLD OUT
URC Round 7: Saturday, November 30
Munster v Emirates Lions, Thomond Park, 7.35pm; Buy tickets here
Champions Cup Round 1: Saturday, December 7
Munster v Stade Francais, Thomond Park, 5:30pm; Buy tickets here
Champions Cup Round 3: Saturday, January 11
Munster v Saracens, Thomond Park, 5.30pm; Buy tickets here
URC Round 9: Friday, December 27
Munster v Leinster, Thomond Park, 7.35pm; Buy tickets here
URC Round 11: Saturday, February 15
Munster v Scarlets, Thomond Park, 5.15pm; Buy tickets here
URC Round 12: Friday, February 28
Munster v Edinburgh, Virgin Media Park, 7.35pm; Buy tickets here
URC Round 15: Saturday, April 19
Munster v Bulls, Thomond Park, 5.15pm; Buy tickets here
URC Round 17: Friday, May 9
Munster v Ulster, Thomond Park, 7.35pm; Buy tickets here
URC Round 18: Friday, May 16
Munster v Benetton, Virgin Media Park, 8pm; Buy tickets here
Images & Content from Munster Rugby
IRFU Announces Return Of ‘A’ Interprovincial Championship
Squad Update | Munster Prepare For All Blacks XV At Thomond
