Bok Nkosi gets a Bulls start against Stormers
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Bulls have announced a strong matchday 23 that will do battle against the Stormers in round 14 of the United Rugby Championship, in Pretoria.
The Pretoria outfit is still without the services of Springbok duo, Canan Moodie and Kurt-Lee Arendse, who are still on a rest break whilst creative midfielder, Johan Goosen recovers from a successful shoulder surgery that will see him sidelined for up to six weeks.
The herd sees minimal changes in the front, with a number of forced changes to the back.
Work done, weekend upon us, see you tomorrow for a great game of rugby.
💙🐃 #TrueToTheBlue #BullsHeard pic.twitter.com/i61oMpHSs0
— Official Blue Bulls (@BlueBullsRugby) February 17, 2023
Lock, Jacques Du Plessis, is the only change in the forward pack from the matchday squad that lined up against the Welsh side, Scarletts.
At the back, Director of Rugby Jake White has opted to go with the half-back combinations of Zak Burger and Chris Smith.
In the midfield, Harold Vorster and Wandisile Simelane pair up as inside and outside centre, respectively.
Speedstar, Sibusiso Nkosi returns into the fold to start at left wing whilst Cornal Hendricks gets a run on the right
with David Kriel shifting to fullback.
Jan-Hendrick Wessels, Simphiwe Matanzima, Francois Klopper, Ruan Vermaak, Nizaam Carr, Embrose Papier, Morne Steyn and Lionel Mapoe will all get the opportunity their run from the bench.
Steyn will run out for his 150th club game in the Super Rugby and United Rugby Championship era, a feat only achieved by a select few players. The Springbok and Bulls legend has spent the last 14 years applying his trade in Pretoria, earning his unrivalled icon status across South Africa’s rugby-loving communities.
Bulls: 15 David Kriel, 14 Cornal Hendricks, 13 Wandisile Simelane, 12 Harold Voster, 11 Sibusiso Nkosi, 10 Chris Smith, 9 Zak Burger, 8 Elrigh Louw, 7 Cyle Brink, 6 Marco van Staden, 5 Ruan Nortje (captain), 4 Jacques Du Plessis, 3 Mornay Smith, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 1 Gerhard Steenekamp.
Replacements: 16 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 17 Simphiwe Matanzima, 18 Francois Klopper, 19 Ruan Vermaak, 20 Nizaam Carr, 21 Embrose Papier, 22 Morne Steyn, 23 Lionel Mapoe
Date: Saturday, February 18
Venue: Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
Kick-off: 17.05 (15.05 GMT)
Referee: Marius van der Westhuizen (South Africa)
Assistant Referees: AJ Jacobs (South Africa) & Griffon Colby (South Africa)
TMO: Marius Jonker (South Africa)
