'The next Duane Vermeulen' gets his chance for Bulls

It may well be a bit unfair that people have already labelled him the “next Duane Vermeulen” but former SA under-20 loose forward Muller Uys has already impressed the Vodacom Bulls coaching team, and on Saturday he will get the chance to show his skills in front of the rest of the Vodacom Super Rugby audience.

Standing at 1.91m metres tall and weighing in at 112kg, Uys is definitely not a small kid, and his exploits at schoolboy and junior level have been well documented, but the youngster is now stepping onto the senior stage with a lot expected of him in a team that desperately needs a hero.

And while he captained the Bulls under-21 team to the Currie Cup title last season, his physicality and work-rate impressed coach Pote Human so much in the pre-season that he was already privately being touted as the find of the season.

On Saturday, Uys will make his debut in the Bulls jersey as the team search for a win after four straight defeats in this year’s competition. A gash to his head in a pre-season friendly kept him out of selection until now, but on Saturday he will get his first proper taste of Super Rugby against the Highlanders.

And according to Human, nobody deserves it more right now.

“He deserves it. I said previously it would be difficult to leave him out this season. Unfortunately, he got a bad cut to his forehead in the first friendly game of the season. He is ready now to go, and I’m looking forward to seeing him. He is really excited to get his first cap for the Bulls and I really know he will be a special player for the Bulls for years to come,” Human said.

It is tough for a youngster when stepping onto the senior stage but there is already enough belief that he can make the step up this week, and can start a long career that will hopefully lead all the way to Green and Gold.

Super Rugby will be a tough testing ground for Uys, especially as the Bulls pack were bullied last weekend by the Argentineans and the Highlanders will arrive to do the same.

And there will be no leeway given for the youngster, who will have to adapt quickly to the new surroundings.

“He is a very clever player who runs exceptional lines. He gets around the field to where he needs to be and does the right things. He is physical, and he deserves a chance. He has been knocking on the door for a long time, and he deserves a chance to show what he can do,” Human said.

To compare him already to Vermeulen may be a massive disservice to the young Uys, but there are clearly people who believe he can take the step up. Saturday will be his first chance to prove he belongs at this level.

If he takes his chance, it could leave Bulls fans smiling.