Bulls stung by bizarre ban on Schalk Brits
Yet, on the whole, it wasn't really a blue Monday at Loftus.
Schalk Brits of the Vodacom Bulls gets a red card from Referee: Mike Fraser (NZ) during the Super Rugby match between Cell C Sharks and Vodacom Bulls at Jonsson Kings Park on March 30, 2019 in Durban, South Africa. (Photo by Steve Haag/Gallo Images)
It was a Monday of mixed news for the Bulls, though most of it was actually positive.
Frustratingly, the franchise will start its Tuesday with an appeal for Schalk Brits after the veteran hooker was handed a four-week ban for his involvement in the past weekend’s punch-up with Sharks counterpart Akker van der Merwe.
The bone of contention is that Van der Merwe somehow managed to only cop a three-week suspension despite clearly being the instigator with a clean-out with the head.
The appeal will be heard early in the morning.
Meanwhile, the Bulls confirmed that head coach Pote Human has extended his contract by another year.
“It’s a massive honor to be entrusted with this role, especially knowing that I have the backing of the people around me. It’s been a good start thus far, and I firmly believe that we are heading in the right direction as a team,” the genial mentor said in a statement.
“However, there is a long season ahead with lots of work to be done, and I am excited to get on with things.”
Adding further to the feelgood factor at Loftus was the confirmation that the Bulls have finally landed long-term target Wiehahn Herbst.
The 31-year-old tighthead joins from Irish giants Ulster and provides much-needed depth, though the brains trust will be chuffed with how the raw duo of Simphiwe Matanzima and Conrad van Vuuren closed out the game in Durban.
Herbst has previous Super Rugby experience with the Sharks.
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