Bulls to unleash Mapoe against Lions
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Bulls director of rugby, Jake White, has selected a strong side that will face the Lions on their return to action in the Currie Cup on Sunday, July 25.
New Bulls recruit, Lionel Mapoe, will make his first appearance for the Tshwane-based side when they take to the field at Loftus Versfeld.
The Springbok centre will combine with Harold Vorster in the midfield as Cornal Hendricks makes a shift to a familiar position at right wing.
Johan Goosen, who turned out for the first time in the blue strip last weekend in the match against the South African ‘A’ side, will make his official debut for the Bulls in the Currie Cup with a starting berth in the No10 jersey.
An exciting and talented loose-forward trio of Elrigh Louw at No.8 alongside captain Marcell Coetzee and Muller Uys will be a combination worth watching out for.
An inspiring addition to the bench of the Bulls is that of young Sibongile Novuka, a star for the UKZN Impi in the recent Varsity Shield competition.
Bulls: 15 David Kriel, 14 Cornal Hendricks, 13 Lionel Mapoe, 12 Harold Vorster, 11 Richard Kriel, 10 Johan Goosen, 9 Zak Burger, 8 Elrigh Louw, 7 Muller Uys, 6 Marcell Coetzee (Captain), 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Walt Steenkamp, 3 Jacques van Rooyen, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 1 Simphiwe Matanzima
Replacements: 16 Schalk Erasmus, 17 Gerhard Steenekamp, 18 Mornay Smith, 19 Janko Swanepoel, 20 Nizaam Carr, 21 Keagan Johannes, 22 Chris Smith, 23 Sibongile Novuka, 24 Jan-Hendrik Wessel, 25 Ruan Delport, 26 Johan Mulder, 27 FC du Plessis
Date: Sunday, 25 July
Venue: Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
Kick-off: 15.15 (13.15 GMT)
Referee: Paul Mente
Assistant Referees: Local appointments
TMO: Marius van der Westhuizen
