Bulls name team for 'big derby'
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White announced an exciting 23-man squad that will face a powerful Sharks team in their United Rugby Championship clash in Durban on Friday.
The Sharks have loaded up with their returning Springboks, while the Bulls have also named a number of internationals.
Tighthead prop Robert Hunt, who made his debut and played off the bench on the Bulls’ four-week tour of Europe, will earn his first starting berth.
He will buckle down alongside Gerhard Steenekamp at loosehead prop, with the experienced Bismarck du Plessis starting at hooker.
There are few positional switches in the backline.
Kurt-Lee Arendse will start in the No.15 jersey while David Kriel will get an opportunity at outside centre, alongside Cornal Hendricks.
Richard Kriel will earn his URC debut when he lines up on the left wing.
🚨 TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT 🚨 Here is YOUR Vodacom Bulls team to take on the Cell C Sharks in Durban tomorrow night 💪
Comment with your score prediction below 👇 #TrueToTheBlue pic.twitter.com/YK13tK173q
ADVERTISEMENT— Official Blue Bulls (@BlueBullsRugby) December 2, 2021
The Bulls expect a tough encounter in Durban against a dangerous Sharks outfit.
“This is such a big week,” White said.
“It’s not only a local derby, but the game that we have played in the Currie Cup Final twice now,” the Bulls boss added.
“They’ve got all these international players, that says a lot for their squad.
“At home with that kind of team, there is a little bit of a buzz now.
“It’s like a Test match for us, and we are looking forward to it.
“We are looking forward to seeing where we are.
“We will see Marcell Coetzee getting a crack to play against Siya [Kolisi], you get Bismarck du Plessis and Grobbies [Johan Grobbelaar] playing against Bongi [Mbonambi], and that list goes on.”
Bulls: 15 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 14 Madosh Tambwe, 13 David Kriel, 12 Cornal Hendricks, 11 Richard Kriel, 10 Morné Steyn, 9 Embrose Papier, 8 Elrigh Louw, 7 Arno Botha, 6 Marcell Coetzee (captain), 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Walt Steenkamp, 3 Robert Hunt, 2 Bismarck du Plessis, 1 Gerhard Steenekamp.
Replacements: 16 Johan Grobbelaar, 17 Simphiwe Matanzima, 18 Lizo Gqoboka, 19 Jacques du Plessis, 20 Sintu Manjezi, 21 Zak Burger, 22 Chris Smith, 23 Harold Vorster.
Date: Friday, December 3
Venue: Kings Park, Durban
Kick-off: 19.00 (17.00 GMT)
Referee: Jaco Peyper (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Aimee Barrett-Theron (South Africa), Paul Mente (South Africa)
TMO: Stuart Berry (South Africa)
