Bulls get Grobbelaar boost for Currie Cup semifinal
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White has made four changes to his matchday 23 for Saturday’s Currie Cup semifinal against the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein.
Johan Grobbelaar, WJ Steenkamp, Bernard van der Linde and Sibongile Novuka are all being rotated into the fold this week.
Grobbelaar comes into starting XV, slotting into the front row as one of only two changes to an otherwise unchanged forward pack.
The other change to the men in front is Nizaam Carr starting at openside flank.
Last week’s starter, Jan-Hendrik Wessels shifts to the bench where Steenkamp, Van der Linde and Novuka will all look to get a run.
At the back, the only changes are that of Keagan Johannes and Chris Smith.
Johannes starts at scrumhalf with Embrose Papier missing out due to a hamstring niggle, while Smith slots into the flyhalf role.
The rest of the backline remains unchanged.
Bulls: 15 Johan Goosen, 14 Cornal Hendricks, 13 Stedman Gans, 12 Harold Vorster, 11 David Kriel, 10 Chris Smith, 9 Keagan Johannes, 8 Elrigh Louw, 7 Nizaam Carr, 6 Marcell Coetzee (captain), 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Ruan Vermaak, 3 Mornay Smith, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 1 Gerhard Steenekamp.
Replacements: 16 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 17 Simphiwe Matanzima, 18 Francois Klopper, 19 Janko Swanepoel, 20 WJ Steenkamp, 21 Bernard van der Linde, 22 Sibongile Novuka, 23 Wandisile Simelane.
Date: Saturday, June 17
Venue: Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein
Kick-off: 15.00 (13.00 GMT)
Referee: Cwengile Jadezweni
Assistant Referees: Aimee Barrett-Theron, Dylen November
TMO: Egon Seconds
