Bulls tweak for trip to Jo'burg
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White has tweaked his team for the trip down the N1 to Johannesburg.
Flyhalf Chris Smith returns to the starting line-up, as the Bulls prepare for their Rainbow Cup South Africa Round Four encounter with the Lions.
Apart from Smith’s return, James Verity-Amm gets a start on the wing, with Stravino Jacobs dropping to the bench – as the Pretoria franchise continues exploiting its depth, with the aim to make it four wins on the trot in their Pro14 Rainbow Cup SA campaign.
The forwards see several changes – as Springbok props Lizo Gqoboka and Trevor Nyakane get into the starting trenches in a direct swap with Gerhard Steenekamp and Mornay Smith.
Elrigh Louw returns to the blindside at flank, resuming his successful combination with Springbok loose forwards Marco van Staden and captain Duane Vermeulen.
Springbok loose forward Nizaam Carr and utility back Clinton Swart shift up to the bench, where they will undoubtedly add a boost in the second half.
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“The more we are successful on the pitch, the bigger the target on our back gets,” White said.
“The Lions will not be happy with their returns over the first three matches and they will come out hunting this weekend.
“We need to be effective in playing our brand of rugby and keeping our momentum going,” he added.
Bulls: 15 David Kriel, 14 Madosh Tambwe, 13 Marco Jansen van Vuren, 12 Cornal Hendricks, 11 James Verity-Amm, 10 Chris Smith, 9 Embrose Papier, 8 Duane Vermeulen (captain), 7 Elrigh Louw, 6 Marco van Staden, 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Walt Steenkamp, 3 Trevor Nyakane, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 1 Lizo Gqoboka.
Replacements: 16 Schalk Erasmus, 17 Gerhard Steenekamp, 18 Mornay Smith, 19 Janko Swanepoel, 20 Nizaam Carr, 21 Zak Burger, 22 Clinton Swart, 23 Stravino Jacobs.
Additional players: 24 Jacques van Rooyen, 25 Jan Uys, 26 Muller Uys, 27 Morne Steyn, 28 Keagan Johannes.
Date: Saturday, May 22
Venue: Ellis Park, Johannesburg
Kick-off: 15.30 (13.30 GMT)
Referee: AJ Jacobs (SARU, 2nd competition game)
Assistant referees: Aimee Barrett-Theron, Morne Ferreira (both SARU)
TMO: Marius Jonker (SARU)
