IT has been a tough last four months for Stedman Gans, but he is bigger and better, and determined to earn his spot back in the Bulls team.
He is physically bigger, and can’t wait to get stuck into the Sharks in Saturday’s Currie Cup semi-final at Loftus Versfeld (5pm start).
“Yes, that is the case (I have bulked up in the gym),” Gans said yesterday.
“I used the opportunity (to get bigger). In season, you don’t always get the opportunity to do it, so I had the four months to do exactly that. I don’t know actually (how much I weigh) – I don’t weigh. It’s a mind-game!
Former Blitzboks captain Gans was just regaining his best form last season before a knee injury ended his campaign.
The Bulls midfield has since been manned by the likes of Harold Vorster and David Kriel, but the Pretoria side have missed Gans’ silky touches and excellent running lines on attack, and his tenacity in defence.
“It was my left knee, and I was out for about three-and-a-half to four months. Injuries are the worst part of the game, and obviously I was very disappointed,” the 27-year-old said.
SEMI-FINAL PREP 🔋 pic.twitter.com/XLnNXV4nke
— Official Blue Bulls (@BlueBullsRugby) September 11, 2024
“I felt like I was starting to gain momentum, the way I was playing, and to be ruled out due to injury at that time, a lot of disappointment came with that.
“But that’s part of the game... How do you deal with it? How do come back from it, physically and mentally?
“I guess that’s the challenge now – how am I going to react? That’s obviously a deep hunger within me now, to just get back to playing my best rugby I can play.”
He played off the bench in last Sunday’s 24-18 loss to the Sharks at a wet Kings Park in Durban, but is expecting a very different kind of encounter in Pretoria on Saturday.
The Bulls will hope to make a statement after their United Rugby Championship (URC) side went down last weekend, and the golden Currie Cup trophy is just the motivation they need to find their groove with ball-in-hand.
“The oldest competition that we have, and it is a big one for us. I don’t think so (that last week will influence the semi-final). It’s play-offs week this week, so of course they are going to change some stuff and they will be in a different mode, and the same goes for us,” Gans said.
“I’ve missed out on a couple of Currie Cup play-offs due to injury, and this time around I can be part of a semi-final. I am very excited for that.
“I think it’s going to be a very different game. I think there is going to be a lot more running, a faster game that does suit us.
“I think we’ve got a great mix in our team at the moment, in terms of good set-piece, but we can also run with the ball.
“It’s home for us, so I think it’s going to be different.
“I think they are a very good side. They put us under pressure in a lot of areas, and we are expecting the same this week.
“They are a going to be up for it because of the result last weekend, so we are going to have to be at our best.”