22/01/2008 22:26

The Bulls put out a feeler to Rossouw this week to see whether he was interested in joining them. But on Tuesday the former Springbok wing would not comment on the matter.

The Bulls nevertheless announced on Tuesday that they had cancelled their contract with their backline coach, Nico le Roux.

The recently appointed Le Roux had not met the Bulls' expectations.

In a statement the Blue Bulls Company (Pty) Ltd said it would immediately go about identifying a successor to Le Roux.

Rossouw could possibly be that successor. He assisted with the coaching of the Western Province Under-19 side last season and was also used as a consultant in the Vodacom Cup tournament.

It could, however, upset the Stormers if Rossouw were to join the Pretorians before their opening match in the Super14 series - against the Bulls on February 16.

The Stormers' commercial manager, Frikkie Erasmus, feels it would be premature to comment on Rossouw's possible involvement in the North, as it is currently still only speculative.

Respected for his integrity

While Rossouw is familiar with what happens in the Stormers camp, he is respected for his integrity in the Cape, so it is unlikely that he will give away any secrets.

Nevertheless, the red lights will be flashing if he should join in with the Bulls.

Meanwhile, the Bulls have already started preparing themselves in unorthodox ways for February 16. According to a reliable source close to the Bulls camp one of the things they are doing is watching videos of crash tackles on Stormers players in matches from previous years.

This is apparently being done to motivate the team ahead of a battle eagerly anticipated by rugby lovers.

News that the Bulls are making use of this type of motivation will surprise no one here. The Stormers' utility back Dylan des Fountain, a former Blue Bull, said last season that the Bulls become a bit dilly before a Stormers game.

The Bulls denied Des Fountain's revelations at the time.

The visuals are said to include tackles on Stormers scrumhalf Bolla Conradie, flank Luke Watson and former Stormers eighthman Joe van Niekerk. Van Niekerk, who is playing for the Lions this year, was previously seen as one of the Stormers' "show ponies".

Conradie's unpopularity stems from incidents where he has provoked the Bulls.

"The Bulls don't respect the Stormers," Die Burger was told on Tuesday.

The last three Super14 matches between these two sides ended in massive defeats for the Stormers.

Erasmus laughed on Tuesday when told about the visuals being studied by the Bulls.

"Every guy should motivate himself as he sees fit," he said.