Experienced duo leads Bulls against Leopards
TEAM ANNOUNCEMETN: Jacques van Rooyen and Lionel Mapoe will co-lead the Bulls side that will take on the Leopards in a friendly match at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.
The fixture forms part of the Tshwane camp’s plans to ensure all players receive valuable match time as both the United Rugby Championship and the Champions Cup competitions begin to zone in on playoffs.
Jake White, Bulls Director of Rugby, says the crowd will be treated to two quality games featuring all available players.
Van Rooyen leads the side alongside Jan-Hendrik Wessels and Khutha Mchunu. Behind them will be Merwe Olivier and Janko Swanepoel at lock. Abulele Ndabambi , Corné Beets and Mihlali Mosi forms the loose forward trio.
Scrumhalf Steven Nel will pair up with Keagan Johannes at flyhalf while the experienced Harold Vorster and Lionel Mapoe will patrol the midfield.
Asked about Keagan Johannes starting at flyhalf, White reflected: “As it stands now, we want to try him in different positions. He can play at 10, he used to play there.
“One of the things that has been happening is he has been on the bench quite a few times as a 9 and one of the things we found is that we can use him in different positions which helps us with a 6-2 split.”
White says these friendlies are also great for keeping playing competition amongst the squad alive.
“The last time we played against the Falcons, JF van Heerden played really well and this week he up against the Stormers, as is Nizaam Carr,” White commented.
Bulls XV: 15 Stravino Jacobs, 14 Sergeal Petersen, 13 Lionel Mapoe (captain), 12 Harold Vorster, 11 Sibongile Novuka, 10 Keagan Johannes, 9 Steven Nel, 8 Mihlali Mosi, 7 Crone Beets, 6 Abulel Ndabambi, 5 Janko Swanepoel, 4 Merwe Olivier, 3 Khutha Mchunu, 2 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 1 Jacques van Rooyen (captain).
Replacements: 16 Juann Else, 17 Corné Lavagna, 18 Sebastian Lombard, 19 Lilitha Matsiliza, 20 Lukas Meyer, 21 Caleb Abrahams, 22 Jaco van der Walt, 23 Cornel Smit, 24 Robert Hunt, 2 Sesethu Mpaka, 26. Regan Izaks
Kick-off: 13.45
