Ken Borland

Players arriving at a union normally have to earn a starting place through proving their worth over a period of time, but Bulls coach Jake White is so sure of Walt Steenkamp’s abilities that the former Free State Cheetahs lock has been vaulted straight into the starting line-up for Saturday’s Super Rugby Unlocked match against the Lions at Ellis Park.

The introduction of Steenkamp, replacing Ruan Nortje, who has an injury niggle, is the only change to the Bulls team that thumped the Stormers last weekend in such impressive fashion. The 25-year-old from Rustenburg, who only arrived in Pretoria at the start of the week, leapfrogs Sintu Manjezi, who stays on the bench partly because he can play in both the number four or number five jerseys.

“I signed Walt on the basis that I wanted to use him, and with Ruan Nortje having a bump on his knee I didn’t want to risk him as a 22-year-old who has played every minute for us so far. So it’s a good chance to give Walt an opportunity, he has played well for the Cheetahs, who are an unbeaten team, and he will bring that confidence, he knows how to win.

“Walt is 120kg, more than two metres tall and a mean scrummager. That’s my kind of forward – I want the biggest, meanest, strongest Bulls pack ever. It’s also Jason Jenkins’ last week with us before he goes back to Japan, so maybe next week we will play Ruan and Sintu. I thought Sintu would be a No.5 for us, but he can double up and is maybe more of a No.2 jumper, No.4 lock,” White said after announcing his team on Thursday.

While White is busy assembling some marvellous talent at Loftus Versfeld, he stressed on Thursday what a large part his two veterans – flyhalf Morne Steyn and eighthman Duane Vermeulen – are playing in their success so far.

“Morne has been fantastic for us and there’s no doubt he’s playing really good rugby. Of course the pack of forwards have helped him, as has Fourie du Preez helping with the scrumhalves and that has seen Ivan van Zyl blossoming. But Morne, at his age now, is clever enough to know what works for him and what doesn’t. The line is going nicely, he’s gelling with his centres and everyone around him just gets confidence from how he’s playing.

“Duane is also very important for us and you can see the difference when he doesn’t play. He just gives calmness and confidence to the team and he likes direction, structure and clarity. The way he thinks about the game, the way he understands lineouts and scrums, is also very important. He gives the juniors unbelievable confidence because he is so experienced,” White said.

Bulls team:  David Kriel, Travis Ismaiel, Stedman Gans, Cornal Hendricks, Kurt-Lee Arendse, Morné Steyn, Ivan van Zyl, Duane Vermeulen (C), Elrigh Louw, Marco van Staden, Walt Steenkamp, Jason Jenkins, Trevor Nyakane, Johan Grobbelaar, Jacques van Rooyen. Replacements – Joe van Zyl, Gerhard Steenekamp, Marcel van der Merwe, Sintu Manjezi, Nizaam Carr, Embrose Papier, Chris Smith, Marco Jansen van Vuren.