Simelane at fullback, Carr in No 6 jersey for Bulls’ URC clash

Exciting attacker Wandisile Simelane has been picked to play at fullback, while seasoned loose forward Nizaam Carr will feature in the No 6 jersey when the Bulls return to United Rugby Championship action this weekend.

The runners-up from last season take on Ospreys from Wales at Loftus on Saturday afternoon.

Lionel Mapoe and Harold Vorster are again the midfield pairing, rekindling the relationship they built at the Lions while Chris Smith will run out in the No 10 jersey.

Carr, who previously played for thee Stormers and Bulls before joining Wasps, returned to Pretoria following the demise of the English club. He will be joined in the back row by Elright Louw and WJ Steenkamp.

ALSO READ: James Venter to lead Sharks against Cardiff

Recent SA A tourists, Mornay Smith, Simphiwe Matanzima and Jan-Hendrik Wessels, will add power to the Bulls front row from the bench. There is also a place in the squad for Cyle Brink, also a former Lions man.

Speaking to the media for the first time as new Bulls captain, Ruan Nortje said: “We are learning and getting to understand our competitors better the more we play against them and that gives us a lot of confidence. We expect that Ospreys will come prepared and looking to get one over us but we have prepared well and we now have the opportunity to finish off the job.”

Director of Rugby at the Bulls, Jake White, said of Carr’s inclusion: “Nizaam is unbelievable on attack and can run between the backline players, I am hoping that his skills come in handy for us.

“He has played a lot of games for us, even though he was away in between, but he has that innate understanding of our game and I hope that shows come the weekend.”

Bulls: Wandisile Simelane, David Kriel, Lionel Mapoe, Harold Vorster, Stravino Jacobs, Chris Smith, Embrose Papier, Elrigh Louw, WJ Steenkamp, Nizaam Carr, Ruan Nortje (capt), Janko Swanepoel, Francois Klopper, Bismarck du Plessis, Gerhard Steenekampp. Bench: Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Simphiwe Matanzima, Mornay Smith, Ruan Vermaak, Cyle Brink, Zak Burger, Morne Steyn, Marco Jansen van Vuren