Bulls suffer COVID blow
TEAM UPDATE: The defending champion Bulls were dealt a cruel blow ahead of the Currie Cup Final showdown with the Sharks.
The Pretoria-based franchise will be without the services of star flyhalf Johan Goosen.
It has been confirmed that the 29-year-old has tested positive for COVID-19.
Capped 13 times by the Springboks, the last time in November 2016 against Wales in Cardiff, has been in sublime form for the home team in Saturday’s Final.
He has scored 99 points up to last week’s semifinal – with 27 conversions and 10 penalties, to go with his three tries.
Chris Smith, who deputised on numerous occasions during the season, is likely to start in the No.10 jersey in the tournament’s showcase event.
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* Meanwhile Bulls captain Marcell Coetzee said he will not have any mixed emotions when he leads the team out in the Final at Loftus Versfeld.
The 30-year-old loose forward spent his formative years in Durban.
He had a stint in Japan, before moving to Ireland and then joined the Bulls.
His family is ‘split’ on who to support on Saturday.
“In my family, it was my father, my sister and I who were staunch Bulls supporters, while my mom and brother supported the Sharks,” he said.
Despite having spent five years at the Sharks and the divided support in the Coetzee household, the Bulls captain’s commitment to the success of the Tshwane-based side is unquestionable.
“I’ll always be thankful for the journey I had with the Sharks,” said Coetzee.
“It is now great to be a part of this great Bulls team.
By just walking in the corridors here [at Loftus Versfeld] and you see photographs of legends such as Victor Matfield, Bakkies Botha, Naas Botha and others, is inspiring.”
Source: @BlueBullsRugby
