Bulls change two for Currie Cup Final
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White has made minimal changes to his team that will face the Sharks in the Currie Cup Final at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.
There are only two changes to the starting XV that overpowered Western Province in the semifinal last week.
With the unavailability of flyhalf Johan Goosen, it will be the reliable Chris Smith who will slot in to don the No”.10 jersey for the showdown, in the only change to the backline.
In the forwards, Joe van Zyl gets the nod for a starting berth at hooker, replacing Schalk Erasmus from last Friday’s fixture, while Jan-Hendrik Wessels will once again provide cover from the bench.
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“The players have proven to be consistent over the past few weeks in their performances, so it is only natural that we continue with that consistency into this all-important Currie Cup Final,” said White.
“We expect a tough battle against the Sharks – a match that will be on par with Test match rugby. The Sharks have been a formidable side throughout their campaign. They are well-coached, have talented players and are a driven group. So, we expect them to throw everything at us this weekend.
“We know what’s heading our way this weekend, and there is no doubt that rugby fans are in for a treat.”
Bulls: 15 David Kriel, 14 Cornal Hendricks, 13 Lionel Mapoe, 12 Harold Vorster, 11 Madosh Tambwe, 10 Chris Smith, 9 Zak Burger, 8 Elrigh Louw, 7 Arno Botha, 6 Marcell Coetzee (captain), 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Janko Swanepoel, 3 Mornay Smith, 2 Joe van Zyl, 1 Gerhard Steenekamp.
Replacements – from: 16 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 17 Simphiwe Matanzima, 18 Jacques van Rooyen, 19 Jacques du Plessis, 20 WJ Steenkamp, 21 Keagan Johannes, 22 Ruan Combrinck/David Coetzer, 23 Stravino Jacobs, 24 Reinhardt Ludwig, 25 Jaco Labuschagne, 26 Marco Jansen van Vuren, 27 David Coetzer, 28 Stedman Gans, 29 Schalk Erasmus.
Date: Saturday, September 11
Venue: Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
Kick-off: 17.00 (15.00 GMT)
Referee: Marius van der Westhuizen
Assistant referees: AJ Jacobs, Aimee Barrett-Theron
TMO: Stuart Berry
