With the Bulls gearing up for a crucial Challenge Cup quarterfinal showdown against Edinburgh this weekend, flyhalf Johan Goosen stepped into the spotlight during a media briefing to share his thoughts on his return from injury, the looming clash with familiar faces, and the buzz around his former teammate, Handré Pollard.
For Bulls fans, seeing Goosen back in blue is a welcome sight. The seasoned playmaker, who recently returned to action after a stint on the sidelines, admitted it hasn’t been an easy road.
It’s been tough. This injury was a difficult one,” Goosen said candidly. “There’s still a bit of pain, but the coaches are managing me well. It just felt good to wear the jersey again and get those 10 or 15 minutes on the weekend.”
Despite not yet being at 100%, Goosen’s return adds crucial depth and experience as the Bulls prepare to face a tricky Edinburgh side—led by none other than their former coach, Sean Everitt.
I know Coach Sean well. He’s a great guy and a great coach,” Goosen shared. “He’ll definitely have a few tricks up his sleeve. It’s a quarterfinal—anything can happen. We’re expecting a tough match.”
Edinburgh’s attacking threats, particularly their explosive backs like Emiliano Boffelli and Ben Healy, have not gone unnoticed. Goosen expects a fast-paced game, especially on the artificial 4G pitch at Hive Stadium.
They’ve got dangerous backs and will look to move us around. We have a big forward pack, so they’ll want to keep the tempo high. We’ve just got to keep the ball away from them,” he said.
One of the standout moments from the presser was Goosen’s reaction to the news of Handré Pollard’s return to the Bulls.
I played with Pollard at Montpellier for three seasons. He’s a great player and a two-time World Cup winner,” Goosen said with a smile. “It’s a massive signing for the Bulls. As for me, I’ve still got one more season left, and I’m focused on being the best I can for the team.”
Goosen’s humility and team-first attitude were on full display. While speculation swirls about the future dynamics in the Bulls’ backline, he’s clearly focused on the now—on doing his part and helping the Bulls progress.
The challenge in Edinburgh is not just tactical but environmental. Goosen emphasized the difficulty of playing in such conditions.
The wind there can be a factor. It’s not an easy place to play, but we’ve been there before. We’ve got a few plans in place,” he said, nodding to the importance of controlling the set piece battle.
Asked about the lingering pain in his knee, Goosen quipped, “I’m old,” drawing a laugh from the room. But beneath the joke was a sense of determination.
It’s getting there. I’m training with the physios and hopefully in a week or two it’ll be feeling better. I just want to contribute as much as I can.”
With the Bulls rallying behind Goosen’s return and the high stakes of knockout rugby on the horizon, fans can expect a spirited performance from a team eager to make their mark.
Whether it’s overcoming injury, taking on an old coach, or rising to meet the intensity of a quarterfinal clash—Johan Goosen seems ready for whatever Edinburgh throws his way.
