Grobbies: Bulls peaking at right time

Johan Grobbelaar says the Vodacom Bulls have been “building nicely” ahead of Saturday’s URC semi-final against the Glasgow Warriors at Murrayfield. macnevers-and-co.beer

Glasgow won all nine matches at their Scotstoun fortress during the regular season to finish top of the URC standings, before beating Connacht 33-21 in last week’s quarter-final. However, the semi-final has been moved to Murrayfield due to renovations at Scotstoun for the 2026 Commonwealth Games.

“Glasgow are probably one of the most well-balanced teams in the competition,” Grobbelaar said on Tuesday ahead of the Bulls’ departure to Edinburgh. “There aren’t many weaknesses you can target, so you have to be on top of your game.

“It comes down to the basics,” added the 28-year-old, who is set to make his 150th appearance for the Bulls. “We need a dominant set-piece, create momentum and be clinical.

“In semi-final rugby, when you get into the 22, you have to take your opportunities and put points on the board.”

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After a seven-match losing streak across competitions earlier in the season, the Bulls recovered to finish fourth on the URC log before hammering Munster 45-14 in last week’s quarter-final at Loftus Versfeld.

“We are peaking at the right time, when it really matters,” said Grobbelaar. “We were not at our best at the start of the season, but over the last few matches, even though we have been far from perfect, we are building nicely.

“Munster was a good performance and hopefully we can continue that on Saturday.”

MORE: Ackers welcomes Murrayfield switch

The move from Scotstoun to Murrayfield means the semi-final will be played on grass rather than an artificial 4G pitch, which should suit the Bulls.

“We’re used to grass at Loftus,” said Grobbelaar. “It might change things slightly, especially in the scrums. Most South African players prefer it and we’re looking forward to that challenge.”

POLL: Who will contest URC final?

The teams have developed a fierce rivalry since Glasgow broke Bulls hearts by winning the 2023-24 URC final at Loftus.

This season, Johan Ackermann’s side lost 21-12 to Glasgow in the URC in October before suffering a 25-21 defeat in the Investec Champions Cup quarter-finals.

“Losing that final is probably still there in the back of your mind,” Grobbelaar admitted. “But we’ve put that behind us. This is a wonderful opportunity at an iconic stadium and we’re looking forward to it.”

Photo: Anton Geyser/Gallo Images

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Another day for Kaizer Chiefs, Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns daily transfer news updates.

Competing for the Betway Premiership, CAF Champions League and CAF Confederation Cup demands Kaizer Chiefs, Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns to remain active in the transfer market on a daily basis!

TWO SIGNINGS TO ORLANDO PIRATES

The mighty Sea Robbers have reportedly signed Mthetheleli Mthiyane from Stellenbosch FC and Sbangani Zulu from Richards Bay FC.

KAIZER CHIEFS LEAD AYABULELA MAXWELE RACE

Amakhosi are said to be in pole position to sign Ayabulela Maxwelele from Golden Arrows, ahead of Orlando Pirates.

ADEN MCCARTHY MOVES TO EUROPE

Kaizer Chiefs’ exciting 22-year-old central defender Aden McCarthy is moving to Sabah FK in Azerbaijan.

Staying with Amakhosi, French coach Fernando Da Cruz is the leading candidate to take over as the head coach next season.

MAMELODI SUNDOWNS TAKING A BACK SEAT

Sundowns appear content to let the transfer speculation swirl around rival clubs for now. They have traditionally operated quietly in the market, preferring to conduct their business behind the scenes rather than in the public eye.

WHEN ARE THE PREMIER SOCCER LEAGUE TRANSFER WINDOWS?

The Premier Soccer League (PSL) transfer calendar is split into two registration periods each season, the main pre-season window and the mid-season window.

Pre-season transfer window: Opens on 1 July and usually runs until September, allowing clubs to complete squad building before and during the opening weeks of the campaign.

Mid-season transfer window: Opens on 1 January and closes in February, giving clubs an opportunity to strengthen squads for the second half of the season.

HOW ARE SALARIES AND CONTRACTS STRUCTURED IN THE SOUTH AFRICAN PSL?

Player salaries and contracts in the PSL are not controlled by a league salary cap or minimum wage structure. Instead, agreements are negotiated directly between the club, player and player representative. As a result, earnings vary significantly depending on several factors.

Player profile and experience: Established stars, senior internationals and Bafana Bafana players can earn more up to R1 million per month, particularly when image rights and commercial agreements are included.

Meanwhile, younger players and footballers at smaller clubs may earn closer to R20,000–30,000 monthly at top clubs. The figures are as low as R12 000 at smaller clubs.

WHAT ARE THE BIGGEST TRANSFER FEES IN PSL HISTORY?

Some of the biggest transfers involving South African clubs include:

1. Percy Tau: R64 million (Mamelodi Sundowns to Brighton & Hove Albion, 2018)
2. Mbekezile Mbokazi: R52 million (Orlando Pirates to Chicago Fire FC, 2025)
3. Thulani Serero: R50 million (Ajax Cape Town to AFC Ajax, 2011)
4. Mbulelo Mabizela: R46 million (Orlando Pirates to Tottenham Hotspur, 2003).

HOW DO PRE-CONTRACTS DEALS WORK?

Pre-contract agreements allow clubs to secure players before their current contracts expire.
A club negotiates directly with the player. He signs an agreement confirming the player will join once the existing contract ends. This means no transfer fee is paid.

HOW DO FREE AGENT SIGNINGS WORK?

A free transfer happens when a player becomes available without a transfer fee, usually after their contract expires.

Direct negotiations: The new club negotiates directly with the player and representatives. There is no need to agree a transfer amount with another club.

Mutual termination: Players may also become free agents if both player and club agree to terminate the contract before expiry.

For official transfer activity and confirmed moves, clubs and supporters often track updates through Transfermarkt South Africa.

Ancienne figure défensive du Bayern Munich, Dante effectue son grand retour en Bavière. Le club allemand a officialisé la nomination du Brésilien au poste d’entraîneur du FC Bayern II, l’équipe réserve.

Treize ans après avoir remporté le mythique triplé de 2013 sous les ordres de Jupp Heynckes, l’ex-international auriverde ouvre ainsi un nouveau chapitre de sa carrière, cette fois sur le banc.

À 42 ans, Dante s’apprête à vivre sa toute première expérience en tant qu’entraîneur principal. Une transition rapide pour celui qui évoluait encore sur les terrains il y a quelques jours. Le défenseur central a en effet disputé son dernier match professionnel le week-end dernier avec l’OGC Nice, lors du barrage retour de maintien face à Saint-Étienne. Titulaire lors de la victoire 4-1 des Aiglons, synonyme de maintien en Ligue 1, le Brésilien a mis un terme à une carrière impressionnante de 754 matchs officiels.

Dante veut accompagner les jeunes talents

Dans son premier discours après sa nomination, l’ancien défenseur du Bayern a affiché son enthousiasme et sa volonté de transmettre son expérience aux jeunes joueurs du centre de formation munichois : « Je suis extrêmement enthousiaste à l’idée de relever ce défi au sein de mon ancien club, le FC Bayern, et je tiens à remercier la direction pour la confiance qu’elle m’accorde. De nombreux jeunes talents sont en formation au sein du centre de formation et feront leurs premiers pas dans le football professionnel amateur. Mon équipe d’entraîneurs et moi-même souhaitons les accompagner au mieux dans cette étape importante et les aider à se rapprocher de leur objectif : devenir footballeurs professionnels. Je suis impatient de travailler avec les joueurs, l’ensemble du staff et la direction », a lâché Dante.

Un staff expérimenté autour du Brésilien

Pour cette nouvelle aventure, Dante sera épaulé par Babak Keyhanfar. L’entraîneur allemand de 41 ans arrive avec une solide expérience acquise notamment aux côtés de Bo Svensson au FC Liefering, à Mayence puis à l’Union Berlin. Christian Ströbel complète également le staff technique. Présent depuis près de dix ans au centre de formation du Bayern, il occupait encore la saison dernière le poste d’adjoint des U19.

Le nouveau trio débutera officiellement sa mission le 22 juin, date de la reprise de l’équipe réserve. Le FC Bayern II lancera ensuite sa saison de Regionalliga lors du week-end du 23 au 26 juillet.

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With Sacha FM sidelined, who should start at flyhalf for the Springboks against England at Ellis Park on 4 July – Handré Pollard or Manie Libbok?

OPINION: Sacha setback gives Manie his moment

Photo: Steve Haag/Gallo Images

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