HTS Middelburg legend, former Pumas star, and current Naka Bulls Rugby Club forwards coach Jacques Muller, has shared good luck messages his team received from Springbok powerhouses such as Percy Montgomery and Morné Steyn, ahead of the Pretorian outfit’s clash in the final of the ARC Gold Cup.
The Naka Bulls head into Saturday’s African Rainbow Community Gold Cup final as the prestigious tournament’s defending champions.
The only threat left standing in the Naka Bulls’ way is the Northam Rhinos, who squeaked past the College Rovers 36–28 in the semis to earn a trip to Pretoria.
On the other hand, the Naka Bulls breezed past Helderberg in their semi-final encounter. With a winning margin of 66–30, the Naka Bulls will head into this weekend’s final filled with confidence and swagger, especially as the event will be hosted in their back garden at Naka Bulls Park.
This confidence is not unfounded, as the Naka Bulls come into this fixture against the Rhinos with reigning bragging rights, having beaten the boys from Northam in the final of this year’s Carlton Cup tournament in August.
On that day, gold and green confetti filled the air as the Naka Bulls secured a hard-fought 35–25 victory. The Pretorian club will be hoping for a repeat this weekend.
During that campaign, the Naka Bulls were helped in part thanks to another former Rooies, Driaan Bester. He joined the Bulls earlier this year, and quickly cemented a role in the side’s starting XV.
Primarily plying his trade at the eight, Bester’s arrival coincided with Muller, with the forwards coach returning to the coaching staff of the club he has held dear since 2008.
Bester emphasised the positive impact and wealth of experience Muller brought to the role.
Unfortunately, Bester is ruled out of this Saturday’s affair, having undergone a nose op earlier this week due to a facial injury sustained in the earlier rounds of the Gold Cup.
Thanks to Muller’s association with the South African Rugby Legends, icons including Springbok all-time leading point scorer Percy Montgomery, and the man who soon took over kicking responsibilities for the Boks after Monty’s retirement, Morné Steyn, they wished the Naka Bulls good luck ahead of the highly-anticipated final.
The match between the Naka Bulls and the Northam Rhinos will take place at Naka Bulls Park, Pretoria on October 19, with kickoff scheduled for 16:00.
Fans are urged to go and support, with a R30 fee for vehicles. No cooler boxes or alcohol will be permitted, but there is a club restaurant to purchase food and drinks.
You can watch a video of the good luck messages below.
@middelburgobserver HTS Middelburg legend, former Pumas star, and current Naka Bulls Rugby Club forwards coach Jacques Muller, has shared good luck messages his team received from Springbok powerhouses such as Percy Montgomery and Morné Steyn, ahead of the Pretorian outfit’s clash in the final of the ARC Gold Cup.
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