Bulls rest key Boks for Jaguares clash
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Bulls head coach Pote Human has named his team to face the Jaguares in Pretoria.
Corniel Els will make his first run-on appearance for the Bulls on Saturday at Loftus Versfeld.
The hooker, who played all six Super Rugby matches for the Bulls off the bench, will replace Schalk Brits, who misses out due to suspension.
The 25-year old former Junior Springbok is one of seven changes to the starting team named Human, for the clash against the South Americans.
Handré Pollard and Jesse Kriel will be rested due to World Cup protocols and will be replaced by Manie Libbok and Dylan Sage respectively, with Duane Vermeulen taking over the captaincy.
Story continues below:
Jade Stighling will also play in the starting team for the first time this year, taking over from Rosko Specman, with Johnny Kotze on the other wing and Cornal Hendricks dropping to the bench.
In a positional change, Hanro Liebenberg moves back to lock in place of Jason Jenkins, who has a niggle and was ruled out on Wednesday.
Jannes Kirsten will start at flank and his place on the bench will be taken by Thembelani Bholi.
There are more changes to the bench as well, where Jaco Visagie is due to make a first appearance in the tournament this season. Visagie is fit again following injury and will be keen to have a go. JT Jackson will cover as flyhalf and comes onto the bench.
Bulls: 15 Divan Rossouw, 14 Johnny Kotze, 13 Dylan Sage, 12 Burger Odendaal, 11 Jade Stighling, 10 Manie Libbok, 9 Embrose Papier, 8 Duane Vermeulen (captain), 7 Jannes Kirsten, 6 Ruan Steenkamp, 5 Eli Snyman, 4 Hanro Liebenberg, 3 Trevor Nyakane, 2 Corniel Els, 1 Lizo Gqoboka.
Replacements: 16 Jaco Visagie, 17 Simphiwe Matanzima, 18 Conraad van Vuuren, 19 Thembelani Bholi, 20 Tim Agaba, 21 Ivan van Zyl, 22 JT Jackson, 23 Cornal Hendricks.
Date: Saturday, April 6
Venue: Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
Kick-off: 15.05 (13.05 GMT; 10.05 Argentina time)
Referee: Brendon Pickerill (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Rasta Rasivhenge (South Africa), Mike Fraser (New Zealand)
TMO: Willie Vos (South Africa)
