Bulls load up on star power for Cardiff
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Bulls have been given a huge Springboks boost for their United Rugby Championship Round nine fixture against Cardiff
Marco Van Staden, Johan Goosen, Canan Moodie, Cornal Hendricks and Kurt-Lee Arendse will return to matchday 23 for the match against Welsh rugby side, Cardiff.
Goosen takes the No.10 jersey. He will partner with Zak Burger as the new halfback combination.
Moodie will run out on the left wing. He replaces Stravino Jacobs.
Hendricks replaces Lionel Mapoe and will partner with Harold Voster in the midfield.
Arendse, who had a very successful Year-end campaign with the Springboks – scoring seven tries in seven matches, will start at fullback.
The Bok takes over from Wandisile Simelane.
In the pack, Marco van Staden replaces last weekend’s standout performer Nizaam Carr at flank.
Van Staden joins the loose trio of Cyle Brink and Elrigh Louw.
Johan Grobberlaar also returns to the starting XV and replaces Springbok veteran Bismarck du Plessis.
The other frontrow change sees Mornay Smith replacing Francois Klopper at tight head.
Bulls: 15 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 14 David Kriel, 13 Cornal Hendricks, 12 Harold Vorster, 11 Canan Moodie, 10 Johan Goosen, 9 Zak Burger, 8 Elrigh Louw, 7 Cyle Brink, 6 Marco Van Staden, 5 Ruan Nortje (captain), 4 Ruan Vermaak, 3 Mornay Smith, 2 Johan Grobberlaar, 1 Gerhard Steenekamp.
Replacements: 16 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 17 Simphiwe Matanzima, 18 Francois Klopper, 19 Janko Swanepoel, 20 Nizaam Carr, 21 Embrose Papier, 22 Chris Smith, 23 Lionel Mapoe.
Date: Saturday, December 3
Venue: Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
Kick-off: 20.00 (18.00 UK & Ireland time, 18.00 GMT)
Referee: Sam Grove-White (Scotland)
Assistant referees: Cwengile Jadezweni (South Africa), Griffin Colby (South Africa)
TMO: Eoghan Cross (Ireland)
