Bulls stick with winning formula for Exeter Champions Cup match

The Bulls have made minimal changes to the side that opened their Champions Cup campaign with a win over Lyon last weekend, when they  take on Exeter Chiefs in round two of the competition at Sandy Park, In England on Saturday afternoon (kick-off 3pm).

Having backed a largely second string side for their opener and being rewarded with a full house of points at Loftus, Director of Rugby Jake White decided to maintain consistency for their trip to England and made just four changes to the matchday 23 for the game against the hosts.

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Both Janko Swanepoel and Chris Barend Smit come into the starting XV from the bench, with Swanepoel slotting in at five, while Reinhardt Ludwig shifts to four in place of Jacques du Plessis.

Smit then comes in at inside centre in place of the injured Marco Jansen van Vuuren. 

The other changes to the team see Muller Uys and WJ Steenkamp swap jerseys, while Joe van Zyl, Cameron Hanekom and Carlton Bannies join this week’s impact squad and will look to make a big impression off the bench.

Experienced former Springbok pivot Morne Steyn continues to lead the team and he will look to the experience of players such as Bismarck du Plessis and Nizaam Carr, with all three having played in this competition overseas, to help guide the inexperienced side.

Bulls: Dylan Smith, Bismarck Du Plessis, Jacques van Rooyen, Reinhardt Ludwig, Janko Swanepoel, Nizaam Carr, Muller Uys, WJ Steenkamp, Bernard van der Linde, Morne Steyn (c), Stravino Jacobs, Chris Barend Smit, Stedman Gans, Sibongile Novuka, Wandisile Simelane

 Bench: Lizo Gqoboka, Joe van Zyl, Sebastian Lombard, Cameron Hanekom, Phumzile Maqondwana, Keagan Johannes, Carlton Bannies, Juan Mostert