Bulls president hints at front-row signings

SPOTLIGHT: The Bulls are not ignoring the fact that they have issues in the front row.

Earlier this week, many fans were questioning the franchise’s goals after they unveiled their latest signing in the form of loose forward Cyle Brink.

The Bulls seem to be well-stocked with quality players in the back row. However, it’s a different story in the front row, particularly at tighthead prop.

Their problems were evident in their final United Rugby Championship match of the year when they went down 16-30 to the Sharks in Durban.

With Springbok Trevor Nyakane heading to France to play for Racing 92, Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White was looking for alternatives in the tighthead position.

They were destroyed at scrum time in that match with rookie Robert Hunt starting in the No.3 jersey.

White then experimented by asking loosehead prop Lizo Gqoboka to fill that position in the second half, which was a failure. Gqoboka was yellow-carded after several scrum penalties. Jacques and Rooyen and Mornay Smith were both not available for selection at the time due to injuries.

After the Brink signing was revealed on Monday, Blue Bulls Rugby Union president Willem Strauss was asked to address the tighthead position.

“Yes, we are obviously looking to create more depth at tighthead,” was his short response.

#ICYMI: Will it be different at the Bulls?https://t.co/5lmTRIdMCH

— rugby365.com (@rugby365com) December 22, 2021

It echoed White’s comments after that match in Durban in early December.

“There are a couple of personnel changes we will bring in,” he said at the time.

“We will get more experienced tighthead props involved in the next couple of games.”

The Bulls are currently second last in the URC standings with one win from their five games.

Their next match will be against the Stormers at Loftus Versfeld on January 22.

@rugby365com