Bulls keep their 'losing' formula
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The winless Bulls have named a virtually unchanged team for their Super Rugby Round Four encounter with the Blues.
In the only change to the starting XV for Saturday’s outing at Loftus Versfeld Wian Vosloo start at flank ahead of Abongile Nonkontwana.
Coach Pote Human said Nonkontwana is “struggling with his form” and is not up to the “pace” of Super Rugby yet.
The bench sees two changes – with Corniel Els and Ruan Steenkamp making their first appearances this season.
Els replaces the injured Johan Grobbelaar, while Steenkamp takes Vosloo’s place – with Nonkontwana dropping out of the matchday squad altogether.
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* Meanwhile Jaco Visagie and Johnny Kotze will both run out for their 50th Super Rugby caps against the Blues.
Visagie made his tournament debut for the Bulls back in 2015 and has been a regular feature since.
Kotze made his Super Rugby debut for Stormers in 2015, before moving north.
Bulls captain, Burger Odendaal, was full of praise for his two teammates and their milestone.
“I’ve played with Jaco and Johnny for several seasons and they’re quality players who deserve this accolade,”Odendaal said.
“It’s not an easy feat to achieve 50 caps in Super Rugby but their commitment and determination has been the cornerstone of their playing careers.
“The team already wants to claim a win for our loyal Bulls family and now we have an added incentive.”
Bulls: 15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Cornal Hendricks, 13 Johnny Kotze, 12 Burger Odendaal (captain), 11 Rosko Specman, 10 Morné Steyn, 9 Ivan van Zyl, 8 Josh Strauss, 7 Wian Vosloo, 6 Jeandré Rudolph, 5 Juandré Kruger, 4 Andries Ferreira, 3 Trevor Nyakane, 2 Jaco Visagie, 1 Lizo Gqoboka.
Replacements: 16 Corniel Els, 17 Gerhard Steenekamp, 18 Wiehahn Herbst, 19 Ruan Nortje, 20 Ruan Steenkamp, 21 Embrose Papier, 22 Manie Libbok, 23 Divan Rossouw.
Date: Saturday, February 22
Venue: Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
Kick-off: 17.15 (15.15 GMT; 04.15, Sunday, February 23 NZ time)
Referee: Marius van der Westhuizen (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Cwengile Jadezweni (South Africa), Divan Uys (South Africa)
TMO: Joey Klaaste-Salmans (South Africa)
