Bulls ring changes for Cheetahs
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White has made several changes to his matchday squad for the Round Two Currie Cup encounter with the Free State Cheetahs in Pretoria on Saturday.
White will test the depth of his squad, with the forwards sporting a few new faces.
Kurt-Lee Arendse and David Kriel switch to fullback and right wing respectively, with Marco Jansen van Vuren earning his first start on the left wing.
There is a new halfback pairing – as Morné Steyn returns to flyhalf, while Embrose Papier will be manning his inside channel at scrumhalf.
Amongst the forwards, Sintu Manjezi will start his first match after several appearances off the bench – while the front row sees two changes at prop, with Marcel van der Merwe and Gerhard Steenekamp getting a start.
The bench has seen changes as well.
Jan-Hendrik Wessels is on the brink in making his Bulls and Cup debut as a replacement prop.
Trevor Nyakane and Ruan Nortje will provide cover at prop and lock.
Marnus Potgieter is also set for his competition and team debut, as he rounds out the backline replacements alongside Ivan van Zyl and Chris Smith.
Bulls: 15 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 14 David Kriel, 13 Stedman Gans, 12 Cornal Hendricks, 11 Marco Jansen van Vuren, 10 Morné Steyn, 9 Embrose Papier, 8 Duane Vermeulen (captain), 7 Arno Botha, 6 Marco van Staden, 5 Walt Steenkamp, 4 Sintu Manjezi, 3 Marcel van der Merwe, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 1 Gerhard Steenekamp.
Replacements: 16 Corniel Els, 17 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 18 Trevor Nyakane, 19 Ruan Nortje, 20 Nizaam Carr, 21 Ivan van Zyl, 22 Chris Smith, 23 Marnus Potgieter.
Date: Saturday, December 5
Venue: Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
Kick-off: 16.30 )14.30 GMT)
Referee: Jaco Peyper
Assistant referees: Aimee Barrett-Theron and Paul Mente
TMO: Johan Greeff
