Stassen joins Bulls’ Super Rugby side
Just over a year after penning down a two-year deal to feature for the Vodacom Blue Bulls’ u-19 side, Hoërskool Dr EG Jansen graduate Hendre Stassen recently received a call-up to join the senior side in Tokyo.
This was ahead of the Bulls’ must-win clash against Tokyo outfit the Sunwolves for their Vodacom Super Rugby clash two weekends ago.
The lock received a surprising ring on April 5 at 2am (SA time) while on camp with the junior Springboks in Kimberley.
Things did not go as planned for the forward though, as he was met with a rude awakening in Japan as the Bulls lost 21-20 in a match where he stayed on the bench.
The loss is one of the shocks of this season’s Super Rugby, with the Sunwolves recording their first win over a South African side in the history of the tournament.
The result left coach Nollis Marais under more pressure this campaign, with the Loftus Versfeld outfit registering just one win from six games, ironically against the Sunwolves, at Loftus Versfeld.
The Sunwolves awakened memories of when Japan shocked the Springboks in the 2015 Rugby World Cup as they capitalised on ill discipline from the Pretoria side.
Jan Serfontein was sin-binned before the home side scored 11 points in 10 minutes to subject the Bulls to an agonising defeat after blowing a nine-point lead.
Not all is lost for Stassen, however, as his career continues to reach new heights in rapid fashion. The prestigious and elusive Springbok call-up suddenly seems very possible.
Looking at the bigger picture, things are in line of his career goals.
When he spoke to the Advertiser earlier this year, he said his New Year’s resolutions for his career include making his Super Rugby debut, be in the Currie Cup side and to play for the SA u-20s.
The Bulls are the most successful Super Rugby side in the country, with three titles (2007, 2009, 2010).
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