Bulls wing Canan Moodie to make URC debut against Lions

Canan Moodie will be the latest Bulls player to make his United Rugby Championship debut when they take on cross-Jukskei rivals the Lions at Ellis Park on Saturday.

The 19-year-old, who was vice-captain of the Bulls Under-20 side last year, will start on the wing.

Moodie will be surrounded by a wealth of experience in the Bulls backline which will see veteran Springbok flyhalf Morné Steyn returning to the starting team alongside scrumhalf Embrose Papier, while the midfield pairing will consist of Harold Vorster and Lionel Mapoe. Kurt-Lee Arendse will start at fullback, with Madosh Tambwe at left wing.

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Marcell Coetzee will also be back to lead the side after coming off the bench in last week’s match against the Stormers.

The Bulls front row will see a change among the props as Simphiwe Matanzima dons the No1 jersey and Jacques van Rooyen starts at tighthead, with Johan Grobbelaar retaining the No 2 jumper.

“The Lions showed a good fight in their match against the Sharks last weekend, and we have no doubt that they will want to build from that and go one better in search of a win in their own backyard this weekend,” said Bulls director of rugby Jake White.

“It is always a tough, physical battle against the Lions. They are a well-coached side that will throw everything at us, and we are looking forward to another exciting URC encounter.”

Bulls team

Kurt-Lee Arendse, Canan Moodie, Lionel Mapoe, Harold Vorster, Madosh Tambwe, Morné Steyn, Embrose Papier, Elrigh Louw, Arno Botha, Marcell Coetzee, Ruan Nortje, Walt Steenkamp, Jacques van Rooyen, Johan Grobbelaar, Simphiwe Matanzima

Bench: Bismarck du Plessis, Lizo Gqoboka, Robert Hunt, Janko Swanepoel, Muller Uys, Zak Burger, Chris Smith, David Kriel