Bulls call on Sevens Bok
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Sevens Springbok Jamba Ulengo will make his Currie Cup debut for the Blue Bulls against the Golden Lions at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.
Coach Frans Ludeke has made a number of changes to his backline, with inside centre Burger Odendaal the only player to keep his place from the team that started against Western Province last week.
Flyhalf Jacques-Louis Potgieter is back in the starting line-up, replacing Joshua Stander after recovering from bruised ribs and tonsillitis.
The visitors will be tackled with a new back three combination. Ulrich Beyers has been included at fullback, replacing the injured Jesse Kriel, whilst Ulengo replaces Akona Ndungane and Sampie Mastriet moves from left wing to right wing.
At outside centre, JJ Engelbrecht returns at the expense of William Small-Smith and at scrumhalf, Rudy Paige will start with Piet van Zyl dropping to the bench.
In the pack, Mbongeni Mbonambi will start with Callie Visagie on the bench. The bench will also see a new face with Vodacom Cup stalwart Basil Short propping up the bench in place of the injured Hencus van Wyk.
"We know the importance of a win only too well," Ludeke said. "I am confident that we have the right combinations for this weekend. I am excited to see Jamba as he has worked very hard since joining us for the Currie Cup season.
"JJ was part of the Springbok squad this year and Ulrich played well in the Super Rugby competition. Jacques-Louis is also a class player and match-winner in his own right and it is great to have him back," he added.
Blue Bulls captain, flanker Deon Stegmann confirmed his team's desire to win the title this year.
"We are very close to the tipping point and this match could define our season. For us to reach our goal of a Currie Cup Final, we must deliver on Saturday. We are playing a very capable opponent, so there are no shortcuts for this one. We must front up and win."
Blue Bulls: 15 Ulrich Beyers, 14 Sampie Mastriet, 13 JJ Engelbrecht, 12 Burger Odendaal, 11 Jamba Ulengo, 10 Jacques-Louis Potgieter, 9 Rudy Paige, 8 Jono Ross, 7 Jacques du Plessis, 6 Deon Stegmann (captain), 5 Grant Hattingh, 4 Paul Willemse, 3 Werner Kruger, 2 Mbongeni Mbonambi, 1 Dean Greyling.
Replacements: 16 Callie Visagie, 17 Basil Short, 18 Nicolaas Janse van Rensburg, 19 Jacques Engelbrecht, 20 Piet van Zyl, 21 Tony Jantjies, 22 Ryan Nell.
Date: Saturday, September 6
Venue: Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
Kick-off: 19.10 (17.10 GMT)
Referee: Marius van der Westhuizen
Assistant referees: Jaco Pretorius, Cobus Wessels
TMO: Willie Vos
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