Goosen to pivot Bulls against Zebre
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Johan Goosen will get his first Bulls start in the United Rugby Championship since recovering from his shoulder repair seven weeks ago.
The flyhalf returns to the mix as the 2022/23 campaign nears the business end, beginning with the round 17 clash against Italians, Zebre Parma at Ellis Park on Saturday, April 15.
The two sides form part of the tournament’s first double-header outing to be staged outside of the United Kingdom, with four teams on the bill.
Goosen slots in at 10 alongside scrumhalf, Embrose Papier as they both form the halfback combination.
In the pack, Gerhard Steenekamp, Johan Grobbelaar and Mornay Smith are in the front row. They will be ahead of the pair, supported by Ruan Vermaak and club captain, Ruan Nortje at lock.
Marco van Staden, Cyle Brink and Elrigh Louw will add weight from the back row.
The backline will have David Kriel (left) and Canan Moodie (right) in the wings.
Harold Vorster (inside) and Stedman Gans (outside) will combine as the centre pairing with Kurt-Lee Arendse at fullback.
Bismarck du Plessis, Dylan Smith, Francois Klopper, Janko Swanepoel, WJ Steenkamp, Keagan Johannes, Chris Smith and Cornal Hendricks will potentially get a run from the bench.
Bulls: 15 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 14 Canan Moodie, 13 Stedman Gans, 12 Harold Vorster, 11 David Kriel, 10 Johan Goosen 9 Embrose Papier, 8 Elrigh Louw, 7 Cyle Brink, 6 Marco van Staden, 5 Ruan Nortje (captain), 4 Ruan Vermaak, 3 Mornay Smith, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 1 Gerhard Steenekamp.
Replacements: 16 Bismarck du Plessis, 17 Dylan Smith, 18 Francois Klopper, 19 Janko Swanepoel, 20 WJ Steenkamp, 21 Keagan Johannes, 22 Chris Smith, 23 Cornal Hendricks.
Date: Saturday, April 15
Venue: Ellis Park, Johannesburg
Kick-off: 13.00 (13.00 Italy time; 11.00 GMT)
Referee: Hollie Davidson (Scotland)
Assistant referees: Cwengile Jadezweni (South Africa), Aimee Barrett-Theron (South Africa)
TMO: David Sutherland (Scotland)
#PREVIEW: A play-off spot is not the only thing the Sharks have to worry about 👇#URC #Sharks #Benetton #SHAvBEN https://t.co/EvbPJPDCL9
— rugby365.com (@rugby365com) April 13, 2023
