Bulls take URC heavyweights to Kimberley
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Bulls coach Gert Smal leaned heavily on the franchise’s United Rugby Championship resources for their Currie Cup[ Round Five encounter with Griquas in Kimberley on Saturday.
Griquas beat Western Province 22-20 in their last outing at home, on February 18, while the Bulls went down 25-38 to the Cheetahs on February 2 – their last bit of action in the Currie Cup.
The Tshwane-based side will see a number of players who featured in last weekend’s URC win over Zebre in Parma, Italy, turning out on Saturday.
The team will be captained by veteran Marcell Coetzee and includes other Springboks like Cornal Hendricks, Embrose Papier, Arno Botha, Bismarck du Plessis, Lizo Gqoboka and Lionel Mapoe.
“Griquas have shown some good form so far this season and everybody knows how tough of an opponent they always are on the domestic scene,” Smal said.
“We, therefore, expect an exceptionally tough match against them, especially at their home ground.
“We will have to be at our best if we want to claim a good result.
“We have a good blend of experience and exciting youth in our squad, and we hope that our preparations over the past few weeks will come together this weekend.”
Bulls: 15 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 14 Canan Moodie, 13 Stedman Gans, 12 Cornal Hendricks, 11 Richard Kriel, 10 Chris Smith, 9 Embrose Papier, 8 Muller Uys, 7 Arno Botha, 6 Marcell Coetzee (captain), 5 Janko Swanepoel, 4 Walt Steenkamp, 3 Robert Hunt, 2 Bismarck du Plessis, 1 Simphiwe Matanzima.
Replacements: Schalk Erasmus, 17 Lizo Gqoboka, 18 Kowie Roos, 19 Reinhardt Ludwig, 20 WJ Steenkamp, 21 Keagan Johannes, 22 Juan Mostert, 23 Lionel Mapoe.
Date: Saturday, March 5
Venue: Griqua Park, Kimberley
Kick-off: 14.30 (12.30 GMT)
Referee: AM Jacobs
Assistant referees: Griffin Colby, Local
TMO: Egon Seconds
