Bulls bench their Bok
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Bulls have named a strong matchday squad for their Super Rugby season opener against the Sharks at Kings Park on Friday.
The selection of Wiehahn Herbst ahead of World Cup Springbok Trevor Nyakane is the most significant decision.
Nyakane, who tore his calf muscle in the opening World Cup match against New Zealand, will play off the bench in Durban.
The team welcomes back veteran Springbok flyhalf Morné Steyn, who last played for the Pretoria outfit in 2013, and is the only three-time Super Rugby champion that remains within the South African circuit.
Steyn is joined by two 2019 World Cup winners in fullback Warrick Gelant and prop Trevor Nyakane.
They are joined by Scottish No.8 Josh Strauss, flank Jeandré Rudolph, lock Andries Ferreira and replacement loose forward Wian Vosloo – who will be running out for their first cap for the Bulls – while replacement lock Ryno Pieterse will make his Super Rugby debut off the bench.
The rest of the team includes four Springboks in scrumhalves Ivan van Zyl and Embrose Papier, with Cornal Hendricks on the wing and lock Juandré Kruger adding some grunt to the engine room
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Bulls coach Pote Human has also opted for six forwards and just two backs on the bench – a formula used to great effect by the Springboks during their successful World Cup campaign last year.
“We have enjoyed a strong pre-season, with few injuries, which has allowed us to select our strongest available team to take on a well-oiled Sharks outfit,” said Bulls coach, Pote Human.
Bulls: 15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Cornal Hendricks, 13 Johnny Kotze, 12 Burger Odendaal (C), 11 Rosko Specman, 10 Morné Steyn, 9 Ivan van Zyl, 8 Josh Strauss, 7 Abongile Nonkontwana, 6 Jeandré Rudolph, 5 Juandré Kruger, 4 Andries Ferreira, 3 Wiehahn Herbst, 2 Jaco Visagie, 1 Lizo Gqoboka.
Replacements: 16 Johan Grobbelaar, 17 Simphiwe Matanzima, 18 Trevor Nyakane, 19 Ruan Nortje, 20 Ryno Pieterse, 21 Wian Vosloo, 22 Embrose Papier, 23 Manie Libbok.
Date: Friday, January 31
Venue: Kings Park, Durban
Kick-off: 19.10 (17.10 GMT)
Referee: Marius van der Westhuizen (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Jaco Peyper (South Africa), Egon Seconds (South Africa)
TMO: Marius Jonker (South Africa)
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