Powerful Bulls await Lions at Loftus
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Bulls welcome back a wealth of experience as Director of Rugby Jake White named his matchday squad to battle the Lions at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.
The backs are headlined by new recruit James Verity-Amm who gets his first opportunity in the Bulls jersey at fullback, while Madosh Tambwe and Stravino Jacobs will do duty on the wings.
Marco Jansen van Vuren links up with Springbok Cornal Hendricks in the midfield with Chris Smith entrusted with organising the backline at flyhalf alongside Springbok scrumhalf Embrose Papier.
Nizaam Carr continues as captain in the absence of fellow Springbok Duane Vermeulen – who is on a SA Rugby-enforced break – while the flank duo of Elrigh Louw and Marco van Staden will undoubtedly cause havoc for their Jukskei neighbours.
The front row is one of raw talent as Mornay Smith and Gerhard Steenekamp will prop up hooker Johan Grobbelaar.
The replacement bench is not short of experience either as Springbok prop Lizo Gqoboka and the Policeman, Jacques van Rooyen, will bring fresh legs to the forward pack alongside lock Walt Steenkamp and Springbok loose forward Arno Botha.
“We have continued to test combinations as knowing this assists in us in getting the best out of every individual and I’m looking forward to watching them gel together on Saturday against a formidable Lions’ outfit,” said White.
Bulls: 15 James Verity-Amm, 14 Madosh Tambwe, 13 Marco Jansen van Vuren, 12 Cornal Hendricks, 11 Stravino Jacobs, 10 Chris Smith, 9 Embrose Papier, 8 Nizaam Carr, 7 Elrigh Louw, 6 Marco van Staden, 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Janko Swanepoel, 3 Mornay Smith, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 1 Gerhard Steenekamp.
Replacements – from: 16 Joe van Zyl, 17 Lizo Gqoboka, 18 Jacques van Rooyen, 19 Walt Steenkamp, 20 Arno Botha, 21 Zak Burger, 22 Morné Steyn, 23 David Kriel. 24 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 25 Reinhardt Ludwig, 26 Tim Agaba, 27 Diego Appollis.
Date: Saturday, May 1
Venue: Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
Kick-off: 19.00 (17.00 GMT)
Referee: Rasta Rasivhenge
Assistant referees: Griffon Colby, Paul Mente
TMO: Marius van der Westhuizen
🚨 TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT 🚨
Here is your team to take on the Emirates Lions at Loftus Versfeld 💪Comment with your score predictions below 👇#TrueToTheBlue pic.twitter.com/5mr8K7ZdL6
— Official Blue Bulls (@BlueBullsRugby) April 30, 2021
