Nyakane in, Kriel out
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Trevor Nyakane will make his first Currie Cup appearance for the Blue Bulls when they take on the Golden Lions at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.
Nyakane, who recently extended his stay with the union, is fit again following an injury sustained in the Super Rugby tournament and raring to go as the Blue Bulls look for a solid performance in front of their home crowd in Pretoria.
He will start at tighthead prop in the match.
Nyakane has not played Currie Cup rugby for the Blue Bulls yet but has represented the Griffons and Free State Cheetahs in the competition before his move to Pretoria in 2015.
The Blue Bulls travelled to Bloemfontein and Durban in their opening two matches of the 2018 Currie Cup and secured a crucial away win at Free State Stadium in their opening match.
Head coach, Pote Human, made small tweaks to the side that came up short in Durban last weekend.
Jesse Kriel returned to the wider Springboks squad for the Rugby Championship and his place will be taken by JT Jackson, while up front, there are a couple of changes.
Jano Venter starts at flank, swopping places with Thembelani Bholi, who will play off the bench, while the same occurs at lock, with Eli Snyman starting and Ruan Nortje coming off the bench.
Nyakane’s inclusion is at the expense of Conrad van Vuuren, who moves to the replacement bench, where he will find three new faces from last week. Ivan van Zyl will be Andre Warner’s backup during the match and Tinus de Beer is back in the mix as back-up pivot. They replace Reagan Oranje and Tony Jantjies respectively. Duncan Matthews is also back in the matchday squad.
Blue Bulls: 15 Divan Rossouw, 14 Jade Stighling, 13 Johnny Kotze, 12 JT Jackson, 11 Jamba Ulengo, 10 Manie Libbok, 9 Andre Warner, 8 Hanro Liebenberg (captain), 7 Jano Venter, 6 Ruan Steenkamp, 5 Eli Snyman, 4 Hendre Stassen, 3 Trevor Nyakane, 2 Jaco Visagie, 1 Matthys Basson.
Replacements: 16 Edgar Marutlulle, 17 Conrad van Vuuren, 18 Ruan Nortje, 19 Thembelani Bholi, 20 Ivan van Zyl, 21 Tinus de Beer, 22 Duncan Matthews.
Date: Saturday, September 1
Venue: Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
Kick-off: 16:05 (14:05 GMT)
Referee: Rasta Rasivhenge
Assistant referees: Jaco Pretorius, Ricus van der Hoven
TMO: Willie Vos
