|
Du Preez named Bulls skipper
03/01/2008 14:29 - (SA)
Pretoria - The Bulls' Rugby World Cup winning scrumhalf Fourie du Preez has been named captain for the 2008 Super 14 season, it was announced on the team's website on Thursday.
Du Preez, who was the SA Player of the Year in 2006, made his debut for the Blue Bulls back in 2001 and has been playing Super Rugby since 2003.
He captained the Super 14 franchise in the absence of Victor Matfield in the first three matches of 2006's competition and was the Bulls' captain against the Crusaders in 2007.
Du Preez was the vice-captain during last year's triumphant Super 14 campaign and tactically played a massive role in the Bok set-up during the World Cup.
Du Preez says the Bulls' first goal is to maintain the high standards that made them victorious during the last couple of years and to become even more successful in the future.
"We lost quite a number of senior players and with the new guys coming in as well as a new coach our aim should be to build on what we have accomplished in the past," he added.
"For me personally it was a huge honour to play under Victor (Matfield). We had a very good relationship and I think we complimented each other. I also learned a lot from playing under Anton Leonard."
The coach Frans Ludeke says Du Preez is one of the most senior players in the Bulls' camp and is fully confident in the scrumhalf's abilities.
"Fourie always leads by example, he is a master tactician as well as a wonderful rugby player and I know he can do the job."
Ludeke appointed the hard working flank Wikus van Heerden as the vice-captain.
- SuperSport
|