World Cup star at fullback for Bulls in historic Currie Cup game against Lions

The Blue Bulls' Currie Cup coach has again made a lot of changes to his team, which will face the Lions (currently second, just below the Pretorians on the log) on Friday evening in Midstream on a school field.

Rekord Pretoria

4 hours ago

World Cup-winning Springbok Canan Moodie and Junior Springbok of the Year Corné Beets both return to the matchday 23 to bolster the Bulls ahead of the 2024 Carling Currie Cup Jukskei derby at Midstream College on Friday 30 August 2024.

This grandiloquent celebration of back-to-school rugby – against the Lions – is set for 17:15 in Midstream and will be played out in front of a sold-out crowd.

Head coach Phiwe Nomlomo has shuffled his forward pack which sees Dylan Smith, Joe van Zyl and Khutha Mchunu lining up at the front row.

Behind the trio will be the lock pairing of 2024 Junior Merwe Olivier and Sintu Manjezi who gets a run at five this week.

Skipper, Nizaam Carr will be at six flank alongside Beets who returns from injury. Mpilo Gumede – who was player of the match in round 8 – completes the forward pack at eight.

The young versatile forward, Merwe Olivier, will play at lock for the Blue Bulls in a Currie Cup game in Midstream against the Lions on Friday evening.
Photo: Blue Bulls

At half-back, Bernard van der Linde (scrumhalf) will be paired up alongside Jaco van der Walt who slots into flyhalf.

‘Rocketman’ Stravino Jacobs will run at left wing with Springbok Sevens star, Katlego Letebele getting the opportunity to run on the right-hand side of the park. Fellow international, Canan Moodie will marshal the troops from fullback with Chris Barend Smit and Cornel Smit at centre.

Nomlomo has assembled a six-two split impact squad that features 2023 under-21 Forward of the Year Juann Else, Tielman Nieuwoudt, Mornay Smith, Jannes Kirsten, Merwe Olivier, Keagan Johannes, Lionel Mapoe and Mihlali Mosi.

BULLS vs LIONS STARTING XV: 1. Dylan Smith, 2. Joe van Zyl, 3. Khutha Mchunu, 4. Merwe Olivier, 5. Sintu Manjezi, 6. Nizaam Carr (c), 7. Corné Beets, 8. Mpilo Gumede, 9. Bernard van der Linde, 10. Jaco van der Walt, 11. Stravino Jacobs, 12. Chris Barend Smit, 13. Cornel Smit, 14. Katlego Letebele, 15. Canan Moodie.

BULLS REPLACEMENTS: 16. Juann Else, 17. Tielman Nieuwoudt, 18. Mornay Smith, 19. Jannes Kirsten, 20. Ghudian van Reenen, 21. Keagan Johannes, 22. Lionel Mapoe, 23. Mihlali Mosi

Het jy dalk meer inligting rakende dié storie? Stuur gerus vir ons ‘n epos na bennittb@rekord.co.za of skakel ons by 083-625-4114.

Vir jou daaglikse gratis gemeenskapsnuus, besoek Rekord se webwerf: Rekord

Besoek ook ons Facebook, Twitter en Instagram blaaie.