Bulls give Bok scrumhalf a start
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Ivan van Zyl and Dayan van der Westhuizen will make first starts for the Blue Bulls Currie Cup team this season on Friday, when they host Pumas at Loftus Versfeld.
Van Zyl made two appearances off the bench since returning from the Springboks Rugby Championship squad and takes over from Andre Warner, who will contribute off the bench this time around.
Van der Westhuizen made three appearances off the bench so far in the competition and will start in place of injured Trevor Nyakane. Conraad van Vuuren comes in on the bench.
Blue Bulls coach, Pote Human, also welcomes back Johnny Kotze in the midfield, where he will partner Franco Naude, with JT Jackson missing out.
The team will again be captained by Hanro Liebenberg, who recovered from the flu that forced a late withdrawal from last weekend’s clash against Griquas in Kimberley.
His return results in Jano Venter dropping back to the bench and Thembelani Bholi dropping out of the matchday squad.
Blue Bulls: 15 Divan Rossouw, 14 Jade Stighling, 13 Johnny Kotze, 12 Franco Naude, 11 Duncan Matthews, 10 Manie Libbok, 9 Ivan van Zyl, 8 Hanro Liebenberg (captain), 7 Nic de Jager, 6 Ruan Steenkamp, 5 Eli Snyman, 4 Hendre Stassen, 3 Dayan der Westhuizen, 2 Jaco Visagie, 1 Matthys Basson.
Replacements: 16 Edgar Marutlulle, 17 Conrad van Vuuren, 18 Ruan Nortje, 19 Jano Venter, 20 Andre Warner, 21 Tinus de Beer, 22 Dylan Sage.
Date: Friday, September 14
Venue: Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
Kick-off: 19.00 (17.00 GMT)
Referee: Rasta Rasivhenge
Assistant referees: Jaco Pretorius, Christopher Allison
TMO: Lesego Legoete
