Bulls bring out heavy artillery
No less than six Springboks back for the clash against the Reds.
Trevor Nyakane and Jesse Kriel during the Vodacom Bulls media opportunity at SAN Parks Offices on April 10, 2019 in Pretoria, South Africa. (Photo by Lee Warren/Gallo Images)
The return of six Springboks to the starting lineup is the main feature of the new-look Bulls team announced yesterday to take on the Reds in their Super Rugby match at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.
In keeping with the agreement with the Springboks to rest core players, flyhalf Handre Pollard and centre Jesse Kriel return after having the previous week off, but No 8 Duane Vermeulen, who captained the Bulls last weekend in Pollard’s absence, will be resting this week.
The long-awaited returns of lock RG Snyman, fullback Warrick Gelant and flank Marco van Staden will also energise the Bulls in their efforts to avoid their third successive home loss, but they also need to shake off the rust of several weeks out with injury.
Springboks Ivan van Zyl, starting against the Reds, and Embrose Papier continue their rotation in the scrumhalf berth.
Coach Pote Human has actually made eight changes and a positional switch to the starting XV that dominated last weekend against the Jaguares, who still managed to snatch a victory at the death. The other two new faces are Paul Schoeman at No 8 to replace Vermeulen, while Jaco Visagie makes his first start this season at hooker, with Corniel Els on the bench. Hanro Liebenberg, back at flank, and Jannes Kirsten swap places between the second and back rows.
“Rassie asked us to give certain players time completely off and unfortunately we also have quite a few injuries, having lost Jason Jenkins again and we lost Tim Agaba in practice yesterday [Tuesday]. But it’s still a really good side, Paul Schoeman is very hungry to play and with Handre back at flyhalf, he can organise things.
“This is Corniel Els’ last week with us before he goes back to the Pumas, so we are starting with Jaco Visagie. Wiehahn Herbst is on the bench having played 60 minutes for the SuperSport Rugby Challenge team last weekend and I think he will make a good impact,” Human said.
Bulls: Warrick Gelant, Johnny Kotze, Jesse Kriel, Burger Odendaal, Jade Stighling, Handre Pollard (c), Ivan van Zyl, Paul Schoeman, Hanro Liebenberg, Marco van Staden, RG Snyman, Jannes Kirsten, Trevor Nyakane, Jaco Visagie, Lizo Gqoboka. Bench: Corniel Els, Simphiwe Matanzima, Wiehahn Herbst, Thembelani Bholi, Roelof Smit, Embrose Papier, Manie Libbok, Divan Rossouw.
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