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A powerhouse of South Africa’s Currie Cup, the Blue Bulls (formerly Northern Transvaal) hail from Pretoria, one of the country’s great rugby nurseries.
Legends of the past who have graced the imperious Loftus Versfeld include superboot Naas Botha (still the club’s all-time leading scorer with 2511 points) and hard man Burger Geldenhuys (most appearances with 184), while rising superstar Springbok fly-half Handre Pollard is the face of the franchise at Super Rugby level.
The Blue Bulls have won the Currie Cup a remarkable 23 times and finished runner up a further eight times. At Super Rugby level, the Bulls are three-time champions, having claimed the title in 2007, 2009 and 2010. In all three of those title runs the Bulls topped the ladder and proved unbeatable during finals matches at the Loftus Versfeld stronghold.
With size and power up front and speed to burn out wide, the Blue Bulls will be perfectly suited to the 10-man game.