Jake White pulls a 'Simelane out the hat'
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Bulls will go into their United Rugby Championship season-opening match against the Lions with a surprise selection at fullback.
Wandisile Simelane will make his Bulls debut at fullback – one of three newcomers to the team.
Another new recruit, Springbok wing Sibusiso Nkosi will also start at Ellis Park, with No.8 Mihlali Mosi the only new face in the pack.
Marcell Coetzee will captain the side.
Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White said Simelane is being groomed for national honours, hence the #BIG move.
“For him to get there [make the Springboks] he needs to have that utility tag,” White said.
“The way the game is going and the way I like to coach, is that I like players to be interchangeable,” the bulls boss added.
“For me, it is not just about the number on your back, it is about inter-changing the players [on the field].
“Wandisile is a gifted footballer,” he said of the 24-year-old who once trialled with the Kaiser Chiefs soccer team as a schoolboy.
“The Springboks have in Lukhanyo Am one of the best players in the world,” White said, adding: “If he [Simelane] wants to have ambitions to play for the Boks he has to be a bit more versatile.
“I’m excited to see what he can offer at fullback.”
* Meanwhile Marco van Staden will make his much-anticipated return for the Bulls off the bench, making his first appearance in the URC alongside tighthead prop cover Francois Klopper.
All the hard work the Bulls have put in over their six-week pre-season period will be put to the test against a strong and determined Lions side in their own back yard.
“We have had a great six weeks of pre-season training where we have worked on areas we felt we needed to improve on from last season,” White said
“This has also been a great opportunity for our new recruits to acclimatise in their new environment.
“A lot of hard work went into the past few weeks, and we are pleased with where we are ahead of the start of the season.
“We now have a tough encounter against a strong Lions team that will want to begin their season campaign on a positive note. Even though we expect a slow start, given that it is the first game of the season, we are looking forward to the lads giving their all to set the tone for the rest of the season.”
Bulls: 15 Wandisile Simelane, 14 Cornal Hendricks, 13 Lionel Mapoe, 12 David Kriel, 11 Sibusiso Nkosi, 10 Chris Smith, 9 Embrose Papier, 8 Mihlali Mosi, 7 Ruan Vermaak, 6 Marcell Coetzee (captain), 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Walt Steenkamp, 3 Mornay Smith, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 1 Gerhard Steenekamp.
Replacements: 16 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 17 Dylan Smith, 18 Francois Klopper, 19 Janko Swanepoel, 20 Marco van Staden, 21 Izak Burger, 22 Morné Steyn, 23 Stedman Gans.
Date: Saturday, September 17
Venue: Ellis Park, Johannesburg
Kick-off: 16:05 (14.05 GMT)
Referee: AJ Jacobs (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Cwengile Jadezweni (South Africa), Griffin Colby (South Africa)
TMO: Marius van der Westhuisen (South Africa)
