Bulls pick new captain and host of U21s
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Bulls have named a powerful team for their second Currie Cup home match of the season, against the Pumas on Saturday.
Coach Phiwe Nomlomo has again opted for a blend of youth and experience with six under-21 players in the matchday squad alongside experienced players like Jeandre Rudolph, Marvin Orie, and Aphiwe Dyantyi.
There are also likely to be two debutants in the shape of former Grey College prop Casper Badenhorst and Selborne College old boy Daimon O’Connell, a scrumhalf.
Among the most significant changes is JJ Theron coming in for captain Nama Xaba, who has an injury niggle. Scrumhalf Zak Burger will take over the captaincy.
Jean Erasmus replaces Francois Kloppers at tighthead and Aphiwe Dyantyi shifts to left wing to accommodate Katlego Letebele on the right. Cornel Smit also gets his first start in place of Stedman
Gans.
The prolific halfback partnership of Burger and Jaco van der Walt has been retained, an indication of how well things have been working.
Bulls: 15 Boeta Chamberlain, 14 Katlego Letebele, 13 Cornel Smit, 12 Chris Smit, 11 Aphiwe Dyantyi, 10 Jaco van der Walt, 9 Zak Burger (captain), 8 Jeandre Rudolph, 7 JJ Theron, 6 Junior Pokomela, 5 Marvin Orie, 4 Sintu Manjezi, 3 Jean Erasmus, 2 Juann Else, 1 Dylan Smith
Replacements: 16 Esethu Mnebelele, 17 Lizo Gqoboka, 18 Casper Badenhorst, 19 Jaco Grobbelaar, 20 Dylan de Leeuw, 21 Marco Ferreira, 22 Daimon O’Connel, 23 PA van Niekerk
Date: Saturday, August 10
Venue: Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
Kick-off: 15.00 (13.00 GMT)
Referee: Morne Ferreira
Assistant Referees: Christopher Allison, Excellent Mnkomo
TMO: Archie Moko
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