VIDEO: Rassie is keeping a close eye on URC says Bulls hooker
VIDEO: For newly-capped Springbok Johan Grobbelaar, his performance in the United Rugby Championship for the Bulls will determine his future with the national side.
Grobbelaar was one of three rookies who were trialed by Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus and should be afforded an opportunity in the end-of-year tour.
Grobbelaar has been the third-choice hooker at the Boks behind Bongi Mbonambi and Malcolm Marx.
At 33 (Mbonambi) and 30 (Marx) the two first-choice hookers might not be around come the 2027 World Cup.
The 26-year-old hooker from the Bulls started against Portugal in Bloemfontein and Australia in Perth.
Other candidates fighting for the No. 2 jumper are Andre-Hugo Venter from the Stormers and Jan-Hendrik Wessels from the Bulls.
Both are 23 with less than four years of experience as professionals, but both have impressed and require more game-time against tier-one opponents.
Grobbelaar knows he will be closely watched by Erasmus and the rest of the Springbok management as players are continually measured and looked at.
He told reporters during a media briefing this week that all his focus will now shift to the Bulls and the URC.
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“That’s one box ticked, a great achievement and we’ve enjoyed it thoroughly, but since last week it’s been all URC for me, and I’m really looking forward to the new season,” he stated.
“It was an amazing experience spending time with the Springboks and I was privileged enough to get two caps this year and I am very happy about that.
“If your team does well, you automatically look good. There won’t be too much pressure thinking about the national team; at this stage, all the focus will be on the Bulls.
“Hopefully I get another chance,” he said.
“If you go into the setup, not only the games you play but every week you get measured and looked at, how you train and where your mindset is. I hope to still be a part of the [Bok] plans and I’ll keep on working every day.
“We all know Rassie and his team are keeping a close eye on everyone playing in the URC.”
“Getting to play Test rugby is obviously the next level, and that experience being brought back to the Bulls will help us in this campaign,” he shared.
“It’ll all help us and put us in a better position to win this competition.”
“There is great competition here (at the Bulls) and that is what we want. That depth in all positions. We push each other and are great friends on and off the field. I learn plenty from Akker (van der Merwe), Jan-Hendrik (Wessels), Joe (van Zyl), and all the younger hookers here.”
The Bulls face Ulster at home at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.
