Johann Sadie signs for the Bulls

[psychic duck]

The Stormers young centre/wing Johann Sadie who impressed in his chances in Super Rugby this season has moved to the Bulls and will be followed by JJ Engelbrecht also.

Sadie despite his good form couldn't even get on the Stormers bench whilst all the backs were fit, the Stormers have bunch of midfield options with Jaque Fourie, Jean de Villiers and Juan de Jongh all ahead of him. He will expect a lot less competition at the Bulls who have had Jaco Pretorius currently holding the outside centre spot for the last few years. In my opinion the Stormers should have let Jean de Villiers go as he is gradually fading and I can see Fourie going to Europe one day. But anyway there is de Jongh and he's arguably as good as de Villiers already.

JJ Engelbrecht didn't get any game time for the Stormers this season and will probably fill the same reserve wing spot that he had at the Stormers where he was behind Habana, Aplon and Poolman, at the Bulls he will be behind Basson, van den Heever and Akona Ndungane.​

 

[Seaton]

Good signing for the Bulls, I always saw Jaco Pretorius (or 13 in general) as being the weak link in the Bulls backline

A promising player who would probably otherwise fade into oblivion behind the other WP centeres, or would otherwise cause another of their numerous promising centres further alienation from 1st team rugby.

 

[Steveskiez7]

I thought Bulls had invested in Stephan Dippenaar? Wasn't he in line for a Springbok jumper last year?

 

[Seaton]

I thought Bulls had invested in Stephan Dippenaar? Wasn't he in line for a Springbok jumper last year?

In terms of a potential Springbok career, its still early days but I doubt it, he had flashes of good form that kept him about the matchday 22 when Jaco Pretorius was injured (last year), but since then he hasn't impressed much, and the Bulls were itching for Jaco to return from injury this season, as Dippenaar just didn't threaten on attack, and wasn't very strong on defence.

He is young, and obviously still has much to learn, but Sadie looks a much better prospect and possesses attacking qualities that Dippenaar lacks, they might retain both even, but Sadie (or at least his agent) has made it very clear that where-ever he signed, he must be garuanteed a chunk of time on the park

 

[Steveskiez7]

In terms of a potential Springbok career, its still early days but I doubt it, he had flashes of good form that kept him about the matchday 22 when Jaco Pretorius was injured (last year), but since then he hasn't impressed much, and the Bulls were itching for Jaco to return from injury this season, as Dippenaar just didn't threaten on attack, and wasn't very strong on defence.

He is young, and obviously still has much to learn, but Sadie looks a much better prospect and possesses attacking qualities that Dippenaar lacks, they might retain both even, but Sadie (or at least his agent) has made it very clear that where-ever he signed, he must be garuanteed a chunk of time on the park

He had a much better and more influential 2010 season I guess, he didn't feature predominately for the Bulls this season. There could be many factors considering Bulls poor early season form so I guess they really wanted something to work so with Jaco they got something successful. I agree with you though, his season didn't reflect his best rugby and I really hope he does begin to shine.

How's the Sharks looking as for a an outside centre; Terblanche having another crack in 2012? I think Dippenaar needs to take his talents elsewhere cos' he seems to have drifted down to 3rd on the pecking order. Lions or Sharks seem a good choice seeing as the Cheetahs and Stormers have Ebersohn and Fourie respectively.

 

[Seaton]

Regarding Terblanche, since the EOYT last year, he has been one of Supersports pundits for games when the Sharks aren't involved in anything, so he is definately preparing for retirement if he is doing those kind of things, so I doubt he'll be here next season.

As for 13, well we got new recruit Marius (sp.) Joubert coming along, and he'll most likely be our 1st choice 13 next year, and possibly even in this years Currie Cup, but that would mean a new captain, which come to think about it, would probably be the scenario given that both our captain and vice are not going to be here next year.

Meh, we'll see.

Trust in Plum B)