White mixes things up for Bulls’ URC clash with Cardiff

The Bulls have made a handful of changes to their side that will face Welsh side, Cardiff Rugby, in round three of the United Rugby Championship on Saturday.

Director of rugby, Jake White, has opted to make full use of the team’s rotation system ahead of the match that will be played at Cardiff Arms Park.

White, said: “We are making some changes to our match-day squad this week to ensure that we utilise our squad depth while giving fair opportunity to the players to get a feel of this competitive tournament.”

ALSO READ: Injuries rock Lions; EW Viljoen at No 10 against Warriors

The Bulls team will see five changes to the backline personnel, while four new faces will come in to the pack that was on duty last weekend against Connacht Rugby.

Fullback David Kriel, wingers Madosh Tambwe and Kurt-Lee Arendse make returns to the starting XV, while scrumhalf Embrose Papier makes a welcome return in the run-on team after spending weeks recuperating from an injury ahead of the start of the URC.

Cornal Hendricks will shift from wing to the familiar outside centre position, where he will partner with Harold Vorster.

A new-look front row will see hooker Bismarck du Plessis linking up with props Simphiwe Matanzima and Jacques van Rooyen, while Janko Swanepoel, at lock, and Jacques du Plessis, at blindside flanker, will both earn starting berths.

The match will kick-off at 8.35pm SA time.

Bulls: David Kriel, Madosh Tambwe, Cornal Hendricks, Harold Vorster, Kurt-Lee Arendse, Johan Goosen, Embrose Papier, Elrigh Louw, Jacques du Plessis, Marcell Coetzee (capt), Ruan Nortje, Janko Swanepoel, Jacques van Rooyen, Bismarck du Plessis, Simphiwe Matanzima.

Bench: Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Lizo Gqoboka, Robert Hunt, Walt Steenkamp, Arno Botha, Keagan Johannes, Chris Smith, Lionel Mapoe