Goosen gets pivot role for Bulls' semifinal showdown

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Bulls head coach Phiwe Nomlomo has made some big calls for his team’s Currie Cup semifinal match against Sharks at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.

Nomlomo switched his halfback combination by recalling Keagan Johannes to scrumhalf to pair up with Johan Goosen at flyhalf for the 2024 Carling Currie Cup.

There are also notable returns as Stravino Jacobs comes in at left wing and Dylan Smith starts at front row alongside Akker van der Merwe and Wilco Louw.

Nizaam Carr shifts from the impact squad to captain and starts at flank alongside Marcell Coetzee.

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There is also a swap for Boeta Chamberlain and Stedman Gans who line up at fullback and centre respectively, having been involved in Durban off the wooden stool.

Jannes Kirsten and Cobus Wiese combine once more at lock with Cameron Hanekom retained for eighth man duties. At centre, David Kriel moves to the inside with Stedman Gans on his outside. Henry Immelman will run out again at right wing.

On the bench, Bernard van der Linde forms part of the six-two split impact squad that also features Joe van Zyl, Jacques van Rooyen, Francois Klopper, Sintu Manjezi, Merwe Olivier, Katlego Letebele and Celimpilo Gumede.

Bulls: 15 Boeta Chamberlain, 14 Henry Immelman, 13 Stedman Gans, 12 David Kriel, 11 Stavino Jacobs, 10 Johan Goosen, 9 Keagan Johannes, 8 Cameron Hanekom, 7 Nizaam Carr (captain), 6 Marcell Coetzee, 5 Cobus Wiese, 4 Jannes Kirsten, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Akker van der Merwe, 1 Dylan Smith.
Replacements: 16 Joe van Zyl, 17 Jacques van Rooyen, 18 Francois Klopper, 19 Sintu Manjezi, 20 Merwe Olivier, 21 Bernard van der Linde, 22 Katlego Letebele, 23 Celimpilo Gumede.

Date: Saturday, September 14
Venue: Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
Kick-off: 17.00 (15.00 GMT)
Referee: AJ Jacobs
Assistant referees: TBC
TMO: TBC