Jake: Ruan will rise to the top for Boks
07/24/2024 04:31 AM
Vodacom Bulls skipper Ruan Nortje has earned the right to call the shots as a second-row powerhouse for the Springboks, according to Jake White.
Speaking to Netwerk24, the Bulls director of rugby lauded Nortje’s selection on Tuesday for the Bok squad in the 2024 Rugby Championship as a testament to his dedication.
White also noted Nortje's potential to lead the lineout for his country, emphasising the strong connection between the one-Test skyscraper and Bulls hooker Johan Grobbelaar, who made his Bok debut against Portugal last week.
“I’m really happy for Ruan. He has come to the fore as a co-captain with us and commands great respect among the players thanks to the hard work he puts in and his attention to detail,” White told Netwerk24.
“It wouldn’t surprise me if he leads the lineout. Grobbies [Grobbelaar], who played in his first Test [against Portugal], already throws the ball into Ruan a lot. That combination will work if the need arises for the Boks.”
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Nortje is one of eight Bulls players in the current 33-man Bok squad, including Grobbelaar, Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Gerhard Steenekamp, Elrigh Louw, Marco van Staden, Willie le Roux, and Kurt-Lee Arendse.
White believes this representation will benefit the Bulls: "Having eight players in the Bok squad will be hugely beneficial for us going forward. Ruan will only get better with this experience. It's gratifying for us when players gain exposure to high-level practice, environment, and Test-match pressure."
The 2007 World Cup-winning Bok coach also praised Nortje’s commitment to staying in the Republic, highlighting the value of local talent being rewarded without needing to move abroad.
“He didn’t have to go overseas to be selected. As you have often heard me say, we really want guys to stay in South Africa and be rewarded, not to have to leave before they are selected,” White added.
Photo: Anton Geyser/Gallo Images
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