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RG and Lood back in the engine room for Bulls against Sharks

The Bulls' first choice lock combination recovered from their injuries and they will this weekend be back in the starting line-up for the important SupeRugby match against the Sharks in Durban.

Regular Bulls lock combination, RG Snyman and Lood de Jager, will reunite in Durban on Saturday, when the Bulls will lock horns with the Sharks in Round Seven of the SupeRugby tournament.

Snyman last played for the Bulls in Hamilton a month ago and De Jager in Christchurch three weeks ago before injury broke up the partnership that played together so impressively in the opening four rounds of the competition.

With his premier lock pairing available for selection again, Bulls coach, John Mitchell, moved Jason Jenkins to the bench and Ruben van Heerden out of the match 23 for this important clash.

He also recalled a fit-again Andre Warner, who will replace Embrose Papier as back-up scrumhalf.

“We have all to play for. One thing we can bank on is that this will require a huge effort from our side if we want to beat the Sharks at home. They will not make it easy for us or allow us to rule the game. This will be hard work and we need to be prepared for that,” said Mitchell when he named his team in Pretoria on Thursday.

The coach welcomed back the lock pairing.

“Both has played very well and has grown as a combination, so I am pleased to have both back again. They bring a nice mix to our skill set and I am expecting them to be influential in the match,” Mitchell explained.

Bulls captain, Burger Odendaal, said they could not afford to lose momentum again during the next couple of weeks.

“We started well, then lost our way and with us bouncing back nicely against the Stormers, it is time to kick on. The week’s rest has done all of us well, so we are keen to go and record a win in Durban. We have the players and the game plan to be very competitive against a strong Sharks team,” said Odendaal.

The team is: Warrick Gelant, Johnny Kotze, Jesse Kriel, Burger Odendaal (c), Divan Rossouw, Handré Pollard, Ivan van Zyl, Hanro Liebenberg, Thembelani Bholi, Marco van Staden, Lood de Jager, RG Snyman, Trevor Nyakane, Adriaan Strauss, Pierre Schoeman. Replacements: Jaco Visagie, Lizo Gqoboka, Frans van Wyk, Jason Jenkins, Roelof Smit, Andre Warner, Manie Libbok, Duncan Mathews.

https://www.facebook.com/BullsOfficial/videos/1735003829891359/

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Koos Venter

Koos Venter is an experienced journalist who started his career 35 years ago, before the days of cellphones, modern computer systems, the internet and digital cameras, as a correspondent for Nexus, the former national magazine of the Department of Correctional Services. He has since worked for various other publications in all aspects of news coverage, as a columnist and in the production side of newspapers and online publications. Since 2007 he has specialized as a sports writer, while he is also regularly used as an analyst and commentator by several radio stations.
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