Emerging teen Canan Moodie a phenomenon, says Bulls coach

Bulls coach Jake White has declared utility back Canan Moodie as the “real deal” after his breakthrough campaign in which he has established himself as one of the key players for the Tshwane side this season.  

As a mark of his rising reputation as one of the country’s best young players, Moodie held his own under tremendous pressure from a Springbok-laden Sharks backline at the weekend.

He will again play a crucial role for the Bulls in their United Rugby Championship (URC) semifinal against Leinster on Friday, in which they will aim to book a place in the final against the winner of Saturday’s clash between the Stormers and Ulster in Cape Town.

White praised the 19-year-old junior Springbok for his versatility as he has successfully transitioned from wing to fullback.

“He’s gone from wing to fullback and it won’t be long before you ask me if he can play centre as well,” White said.

“He is a phenomenon, playing at this level against guys like Aphelele Fassi and Makazole Mapimpi and he didn’t look out of place. He didn’t look like he was lost. Defensively he was outstanding, he kicked for touch when they put him under pressure and I think he is the real deal.

“When you have Cornal Hendricks outside you and you’ve got senior guys like Harold Vorster and Marcel Coetzee running next to you, it definitely helps with your confidence. I think he will get better and better.”

White said the Bulls will be up against a top side in Leinster.

“Leinster are going to be rampant this week but we have another chance to measure ourselves against an international side like them.

“We have to look after ourselves over the next few days, make sure we rehydrate and look after our bodies because we have a big match on Friday night.

“Leinster have been one team that has scored the most points in the first 20 minutes against everybody but they are beatable. You can’t let them start well because that is what they want to do.

“Sometimes you don’t get a chance to catch up when you get a good team like that.

“We will see how good we are on Friday night and how we have either grown or gone backwards. I would like to believe we have got better and let’s see what happens on the weekend.”

Bulls’ travelling squad

Forwards (16): Arno Botha, Marcell Coetzee (Capt), Bismarck du Plessis, Johan Grobbelaar, Robert Hunt, Elrigh Louw, Reinhardt Ludwig, Simphiwe Matanzima, Ruan Nortje, Dylan Smith, Mornay Smith, Gerhard Steenekamp, Walt Steenkamp, WJ Steenkamp, Janko Swanepoel, Jan-Hendrik Wessels

Backs (12): Kurt-Lee Arendse, Zak Burger, Cornal Hendricks, Marco Jansen van Vuren, David Kriel, Canan Moodie, Embrose Papier, Chris Smith, Morne Steyn, Madosh Tambwe, Harold Vorster, Bernard van der Linde