Jake tweaks Bulls for Scarlets showdown
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Bulls loose forward Cyle Brink is set to make his United Rugby Championship debut when his side takes on Welsh outfit Scarlets at Loftus Versfeld on Friday.
The Bulls will end what has been a demanding week of rugby with a visit from the Llanelli-based side, this on the back of a mid-week Currie Cup win over Sharks on Wednesday and a historic URC victory against Munster last Saturday.
The Tshwane-based side has made 10 changes to the team that was in action in the domestic match on Wednesday and four changes to the victorious team that was in action against Munster the past weekend.
“It has been a very busy week for us as a squad this week – playing three tough matches in a space of seven days in both the URC and Currie Cup,” Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White said.
“Management of our playing personnel has been key this week.
“As a result, we have made a total of 10 changes to the team that was on duty on Wednesday against the Sharks in the Currie Cup.
“We have another tough match against a Scarlets team that has shown what a threat they can be I the URC.
“We will need to be sharp and prepared to play an 80-minute game in what promises to be a highly competitive encounter.”
Some of the changes to the team from the match against Munster will see Canan Moodie earning a starting berth at wing, while Cornal Hendricks shifts to outside centre, where he will form a midfield pairing with Harold Vorster.
Zak Burger returns to the starting XV at scrumhalf, while in the forwards Brink will don the No.7 jersey.
Bulls: 15 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 14 Canan Moodie, 13 Cornal Hendricks, 12 Harold Vorster, 11 Madosh Tambwe, 10 Chris Smith, 9 Zak Burger, 8 Elrigh Louw, 7 Cyle Brink, 6 Marcell Coetzee (captain), 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Walt Steenkamp, 3 Jacques van Rooyen, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 1 Gerhard Steenekamp.
Replacements: 16 Joe van Zyl, 17 Simphiwe Matanzima, 18 Robert Hunt, 19 Reinhardt Ludwig, 20 Arno Botha, 21 Keagan Johannes, 22 Morne Steyn, 23 Lionel Mapoe.
Date: Friday, March 18
Venue: Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
Kick-off: 19.10 (17.10 UK & Ireland, 17.10 GMT)
Referee: Chris Busby (Ireland)
Assistant referees: Cwengile Jadezweni, Griffon Colby (both South Africa)
TMO: Sam Grove-White (Scotland)
