This was the case during the first round clash as the Vodacom Bulls squared up against the Stormers. Five of the junior Blue Bulls players went out of their way to support the team ahead of their clash at Loftus and went to great lengths to show that support, donning body paint at the games.

The five, who were all part of the Super Rugby training squad until around a month ago, showed their camaraderie and support as they showed their true colours for their “family”.

JP Smit, Handre Pollard, Corne Cooper and Jesse and Daniel Kriel all went blue for the team and proved their loyalty to the Bulls brand.

“It’s great to see these players overcome their own disappointment at not making the final squad and then supporting their teammates in this way. It shows how strong the family bond and culture is here at Loftus,” High Performance manager Xander Janse van Rensburg said.

“The five all pestered me the entire week for permission to get bodypaint to support their teammates, and it was great to see such enthusiasm for their team.”