Bulls make big changes for Highlanders clash
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Bulls head coach Pote Human has named his team to face the Highlanders in a crucial Super Rugby Round 17 clash in Dunedin on Friday.
Human named Handré Pollard at flyhalf and captain for the match.
The pivot missed the last two matches on tour due to injury, but returns in a much-changed backline from the one that drew against the Blues a week ago.
Divan Rossouw (for Warrick Gelant) and Dylan Sage (for Rosko Specman) will join Pollard (replacing Manie Libbok) in the starting line-up. Sage will move to outside centre, while Johnny Kotze moves one out in place of the injured Specman.
Human also recalled Embrose Papier to partner Pollard at halfback, with Ivan van Zyl moving to the bench and Andre Warner missing out.
The loose trio that finished the game against the Blues will start against the Highlanders.
Marco van Staden will play at No.8 in place of injured Paul Schoeman, with Hanro Liebenberg and Ruan Steenkamp on the side of the scrum. The tight five remains intact.
Johan Grobbelaar comes onto the bench as a loose forward.
Highlanders vs Vodacom Bulls team announcement
Friday 7 June | Kick Off 9:35 am #BullsFamily #HIGvBUL pic.twitter.com/EttgXNnGEQ
— Official Blue Bulls (@BlueBullsRugby) June 5, 2019
Bulls: 15 Divan Rossouw, 14 Cornal Hendricks, 13 Dylan Sage, 12 Burger Odendaal, 11 Johnny Kotze, 10 Handré Pollard (captain), 9 Embrose Papier, 8 Marco van Staden, 7 Hanro Liebenberg, 6 Ruan Steenkamp, 5 RG Snyman, 4 Jason Jenkins, 3 Trevor Nyakane, 2 Schalk Brits, 1 Lizo Gqoboka.
Replacements: 16 Jaco Visagie, 17 Simphiwe Matanzima, 18 Wiehahn Herbst, 19 Jannes Kirsten, 20 Johan Grobbelaar, 21 Ivan van Zyl, 22 Manie Libbok, 23 JT Jackson.
Date: Friday, June 7
Venue: Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin
Kick-off: 19.35 (09.35 SA time; 07.35 GMT)
Referee: Angus Gardner (Australia)
Assistant referees: Paul Williams (New Zealand), James Munro (New Zealand)
TMO: Ben Skeen (New Zealand)
