Pote Human during the Vodacom Bulls press conference at Loftus Versfeld on March 20, 2019 in Pretoria, South Africa. (Photo by Lefty Shivambu/Gallo Images)
Springbok scrumhalf Embrose Papier and promising lock Eli Snyman are back in the Bulls’ starting line-up for their crunch Super Rugby match this weekend in Durban.
The return of Snyman means Hanro Liebenberg is back in the back row, while Papier replaces fellow Springbok Ivan van Zyl, who shifts to the bench alongside Jannes Kirsten, returning utility back Johnny Kotze and tighthead prop Conrad van Vuuren, who replaces the injured Dayan van der Westhuizen.
Human will be pleased to still have the inspirational Duane Vermeulen in action after he left the field last weekend with a twisted knee during the first half of the disaster against the Chiefs, while he has also been able to keep intact his in-form starting front row of Trevor Nyakane, Schalk Brits and Lizo Gqoboka.
“Everyone knows the pressure is on now but these are still good players, they showed that in those three weeks of wins. Embrose and Ivan are both Springboks and I need to rotate them to keep them sharp, plus Andre Warner needs to get some game-time too at some stage. Eli is back as a specialist lineout forward.
“Trevor and Lizo really want to play for the Springboks and they want to show they are 100% fit and ready in this World Cup year. They just love playing and I want to given them as much game-time as possible.
“Being able to choose them in the team every week makes my life a lot easier,” Human said.
The Bulls have now shut themselves off from the embarrassment of last weekend’s hammering and are just fully focused on moving forward, starting with a vital match against the Sharks.
“We’ve put that behind us and we’re really focused,” said Human.
Bulls: Divan Rossouw, Cornal Hendricks, Jesse Kriel, Burger Odendaal, Rosko Specman, Handré Pollard (c), Embrose Papier, Duane Vermeulen, Hanro Liebenberg, Ruan Steenkamp, Eli Snyman, Jason Jenkins, Trevor Nyakane, Schalk Brits, Lizo Gqoboka. Bench: Corniel Els, Simphiwe Matanzima, Conrad van Vuuren, Jannes Kirsten, Tim Agaba, Ivan van Zyl, Manie Libbok, Johnny Kotze.
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