"I have always been a Blue Bulls fan, I loved how they played, how they dominated teams; growing up in the Western Cape, I never thought I would play for the Blue Bulls," who knew Muller Uys grew up a Blue Bulls fan?
For many players, across all sporting codes, falling down the perching order is disastrous. But for Muller Uys, it was a blessing in disguise, as things went south at Western Province an opportunity in the north arose in the form of the Blue Bulls.
"In my second year at Western Province, things did not work out, I was behind youngsters such as Ernst van Rhyn, Cobus Wise, Juarno Augustus; who are all incredible. I knew I had to think about moving on if I wanted to take my career forward; so when my agent told me about the opportunity at the Blue Bulls I super excited, I grew up a Blue Bulls fan and I was happy to join," said Uys.
Upon joining his new franchise, Muller went on to captain the U/21 side and eventually go on to winning the SA Rugby U/21 Championship.
"I had never been captain before, I have only been vice captain. Growing up I looked up to captains like John Smith and Jean de Villiers, as I got older I looked at Siya Kholisi, I always tried to be a bit like them. I was privileged and honoured to captain the U/21 side, it was a great learning curve for me and an awesome experience. The guys around me made it easy.
Winning the U/21 Championship was awesome. In the last few years I have always lost in the semi finals and to win it was good. The guys were motivated to win it, it was great," said Uys.
After that successful period with the U/21, a jump to the first team was imminent, Muller Uys joined the first team for preseason and impressed on arrival showing great potential. An injury sustained in a preseason match would prove to be a setback for the youngster.
"It is obviously a huge step up from the U/21 level to the first team, its much more physical and quicker. You can not just pitch up and go through the motions, you have to want to improve and learn something new everyday, just have to keep on improving.
I got a starting spot in a preseason game and it only lasted for 30 seconds as I got injured, I was very unlucky. I could have got the chance to prove myself and show what I am made off. So I was out for two weeks and I had to work hard to get myself back in the team, I learned from that, it helped me to work harder," said Uys.
The hard work eventually paid, Muller Uys bounced back stronger from his injury to secure a starting birth and finally make his debut against the Highlanders. In his debut at 8th man, Uys was dominate, giving a great individual performance and team went on to win their first game of the season, a moment Muller Uys will cherish for dear life.
"It was a great team performance, we had our backs against the wall, we had not won a game before that.
But for me everything felt different in that week, there was a relaxed vibe in the squad. Then during the Monday meeting when they announced that I was going to play and make my debut;I was excited. It was a huge honour for me to finally play for the Blue Bulls. Then afterwards the coach said I had to be in the lineouts with Ruan Nortje, obviously that is extra pressure, now I had to perform and win the lineouts, then I started stressing.
Luckily the experienced guys, especially the front row, Trevor Nyakane and Lizo Gqoboka made it easy for me to be calm and do my job. Everything happened so quickly that week, I only managed to sleep the day after I made my debut," said Uys.
Blue Bulls coach Pote Human has spoken highly of the 21 year old, dubbing him a Blue Bulls legend in the making, Muller Uys welcomes the expectations. The two have formed a good relationship.
"Coach Pote is a great coach, he knows when to push you hard and when to lift you up when you are a having a tough session. Its always good to play for a coach that backs you. I have learned a lot from him.
I think it is important to have expectations and goals, each season I set them out and each week I go out to reach those goals," said Uys.
This seasons goals have been put on hold due to the coronavirus global pandemic. Uys is keeping fit and looking forward to the return of rugby and has urged Blue Bulls fans to keep safe as they will be reunited in Loftus Versfeld soon.
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