Massive blow as Bulls lose their star player
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Bulls will be without one of their key players when they face Glasgow Warriors in a crucial United Rugby Championship clash on Friday.
Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White revealed that star fullback Kurt-Lee Arendse will be out of action for several weeks due to a fractured thumb he suffered in the win over Benetton.
The speedster already had an operation this week to insert a screw in his injured thumb.
With Arendse out of action, the young and talented Canan Moodie, who has proven himself as a solid outside back who featured on the wing so far this season, will show his versatility when he starts at fullback.
James Verity-Amm, who has shown some fine form for the Bulls in the domestic Currie Cup, has received an opportunity to start on the right wing this weekend.
The Bulls will also have a changed halfback pairing which will see Zak Burger combining with the experienced Morne Steyn.
In the pack, Arno Botha makes a return to the starting XV where he will do the No.7 jersey.
A strong bench will see the return of Harold Vorster to action after missing last weekend’s game against Benetton, while Cyle Brink will be providing loose-forward cover.
“We have a tough task ahead of us this Friday,” said White.
“Despite their defeat to the Stormers last week, Glasgow Warriors are a formidable side that we expect will bring a huge challenge for us. They are a well-coached group with a number of highly talented internationals in their squad.
“We will need to be alert and be at our best for the entire 80 minutes.”
Bulls: 15 Canan Moodie, 14 James Verity-Amm, 13 Lionel Mapoe, 12 Cornal Hendricks, 11 Madosh Tambwe, 10 Morne Steyn, 9 Zak Burger, 8 Elrigh Louw, 7 Arno Botha, 6 Marcell Coetzee (captain), 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Walt Steenkamp, 3 Mornay Smith, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 1 Gerhard Steenekamp.
Replacements: 16 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 17 Simphiwe Matanzima, 18 Dylan Smith, 19 Janko Swanepoel, 20 Cyle Brink, 21 Embrose Papier, 22 Chris Smith, 23 Harold Vorster.
Date: Friday, April 29
Venue: Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
Kick-off: 19.00 (18.00 UK & Ireland time; 17.00 GMT)
Referee: Nika Amashukeli (Georgia)
Assistant referees: AJ Jacobs (South Africa), Griffin Colby (South Africa)
TMO: Marius van der Westhuizen (South Africa)
🚨 TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT 🚨
Here is your Vodacom Bulls team to take on Glasgow Warriors tomorrow at Loftus Versfeld 🔥
Get your tickets now: https://t.co/c9ekMZr91n@Vodacom #URC #TrueToTheBlue pic.twitter.com/XhrrlboOAR
— Official Blue Bulls (@BlueBullsRugby) April 28, 2022
