Blue Bulls Company (BBCo.) Director of Rugby, Jake White has made his much-anticipated return to Loftus Versfeld having fully recovered from surgery that saw him sidelined for four weeks.
White is reunited with his troops who too return from a deserved two-week break. The Vodacom Bulls unit assemble at Loftus on Thursday morning (09 February 2023) preparing for a mouth-watering run towards the end of the season.
BBCo. Chief Executive Officer, Edgar Rathbone said having Jake back was a good morale boost for everyone at Loftus.
“It is great to have Jake return. We are happy to not only see him back where he belongs but to have him with us means that he is back at full health and that is comforting knowing the tough period he went through. His influence on everyone at Loftus is immeasurable and knowing that he is back, certainly does give all of us an extra kick in our step,”
“I know he is raring to go after what has probably felt a long time away from what he loves doing. We are incredibly lucky to have his calibre of coach a part of the Vodacom Bulls family and know that there is more great things ahead for us all, with him here. Welcome back, Jake!” Rathbone concluded.
An ecstatic Jake said it is a privilege to be back doing what he loves and being around people who mean so much to him.
“It is good to be back, after what has felt like an eternity away from the game,”
“In my time away I was reminded of how extremely fortunate I am to be coaching rugby, in a country like ours where this sport means so much to the people who follow it. I was also reminded of my privilege to coach rugby at Loftus, a well-known club around the world.”
The Vodacom Bulls mentor already has his sights set on the journey ahead for him and his troops, remarking that there is work to be done.
“I know there is more to life than the sport but I return knowing that we have a lot of work to do and I cannot wait to get going because I have missed this. Perspective on life may have been re-highlighted but I return as that passionate and driven coach, hungry for results,”
“It is good to be around the environment again and it will be good to stand in the middle of the field next weekend, with our incredible supporters in the stands. Time to get to work!” he concluded.
White will assemble his herd as they ready to return to Vodacom United Rugby Championship action as well as their round of 16 trip in the Heineken Champions Cup also on the horizon. The side’s first assignment will be against the DHL Stormers at Loftus on Saturday 18 February.
VODACOM BULLS UPCOMING FIXTURES:
VODACOM UNITED RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP
Saturday 18 February – Vodacom Bulls vs DHL Stormers | Loftus Versfeld Stadium – kickoff: 17h05pm
Saturday 4 March – Vodacom Bulls vs Emirates Lions
Saturday 25 March – Ulster Rugby vs Vodacom Bulls
Saturday 15 April – Vodacom Bulls vs Zebre Parma
Saturday 22 April – Vodacom Bulls vs Leinster Rugby
HEINEKEN CHAMPIONS CUP:
Sunday 02 April – Stade Toulousain vs Vodacom Bulls
Match and Parking tickets to all matches at Loftus Versfeld can be purchased through the Vodacom Bulls App and TicketPro