Bulls lose a few Boks as White makes eight changes for Benetton
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White has revealed his team for their final tour match against Benetton in Treviso on Friday.
There are eight changes to the starting XV that lost 17-31 to Munster in Limerick last weekend.
Springboks Johan Goosen and Cornal Hendricks were unavailable for selection and they have returned to South Africa due to injuries they sustained in that Munster match.
Goosen failed an HIA (Head Injury Assessment) test last weekend, while Hendricks has a groin injury.
“Goosen should be fine for next week and I know he has been invited into that Springbok training camp and that will be his first priority,” said White.
“Cornal is coming along nicely and hopefully he will be able to join us Monday or Tuesday when we start training.”
Chris Smith will wear the No.10 jersey in Goosen’s absence, while David Kriel comes in on the wing for Hendricks.
The other change to the backline sees Stedman Gans come in for Lionel Mapoe.
In the pack, Marco van Staden regains the No.7 jersey from WJ Steenkamp and Janko Swanepoel replaces Walt Steenkamp in the second row.
There is also a new front row in the form of Francois Klopper, Bismarck du Plessis and Gerhard Steenekamp.
On the bench, Morne Steyn comes in to provide flyhalf cover and Stravino Jacobs also makes a return to the matchday squad.
Bulls: 15 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 14 David Kriel, 13 Stedman Gans, 12 Harold Vorster, 11 Wandisile Simelane, 10 Chris Smith, 9 Embrose Papier, 8 Elrigh Louw, 7 Marco van Staden, 6 Marcell Coetzee (captain), 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Janko Swanepoel, 3 Francois Klopper, 2 Bismarck du Plessis, 1 Gerhard Steenekamp.
Replacements: 16 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 17 Simphiwe Matanzima, 18 Mornay Smith, 19 Walt Steenkamp, 20 WJ Steenkamp, 21 Zak Burger, 22 Morne Steyn, 23 Stravino Jacobs.
Date: Friday, October 21
Venue: Stadio Monigo, Treviso
Kick-off: 18.30 (18.30 SA time; 16.30 GMT)
Referee: Frank Murphy (Ireland)
Assistant referees: Filippo Russo (Italy), Alex Frasson (Italy)
TMO: Olly Hodges (Ireland)
🚨 TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT 🚨
Here is your Vodacom Bulls team to do battle with Benetton tomorrow evening at Stadio Monigo 💪
Wish the boys luck on their last game of this tour 👇#TrueToTheBlue #BullsHeard @Vodacom #URC pic.twitter.com/tDka0WukDm
— Official Blue Bulls (@BlueBullsRugby) October 20, 2022
