Mitchell only makes a few changes for battle against Brumbies
John Mitchell believes the men who messed up in Argentina against the Jaguares should get a chance this weekend to make amends against the Brumbies and he only made minor changes to his team for Saturday's game.
John Mitchell did not make major changes to his team for Saturday’s match against the Brumbies, despite the Bulls’ poor performance against the Jaguars in Argentina.
He only made a few changes in some positions where players from last week’s starting team were exchanged with men who sat on the bench, while the regular captain Burger Odendaal is also available again after he could not join the team on the trip to Argentina. He has recovered from a rib injury in the meantime.
Odendaal’ return will see Handré Pollard starting at ten again, with Manie Libbok back onto the bench in place of JT Jackson.
In the other changes to the team from last weekend, Nic de Jager comes into the starting team at flank, where he takes over from Thembelani Bholi, with the latter moving to the bench and Jaco Visagie will swop with Adriaan Strauss at hooker.
Strauss will again extend his South African appearance record in Super Rugby when he takes to the field for the 156th time.
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Mitchell also introduced two new faces to the bench. Ruben van Heerden will be backing up at lock and there is a potential Bulls and Super Rugby debut for Matthys Basson, who comes in for Frans van Wyk at prop.
“We know that our effort last weekend was not good enough. It was a setback in our efforts and ambitions for the season. We do get another opportunity a week later and we are playing at home, so we have a great chance to redeem ourselves in front of our home support,” Mitchell said.
Odendaal admitted that the Brumbies all-round game could prove a handful.
“They are certainly well-balanced and we need to be sharp in execution and finishing off if we want to secure a win. The guys are keen to embrace this opportunity though, especially at home in front of our supporters.”
The team is: Warrick Gelant, Travis Ismaiel, Jesse Kriel, Burger Odendaal, Johnny Kotze, Handre Pollard, Ivan van Zyl, Marco van Staden, Nic de Jager, Roelof Smit, RG Snyman, Jason Jenkins, Conraad van Vuuren, Jaco Visagie, Trevor Nyakane. Replacements: Adriaan Strauss, Mox Mxoli, Matthys Basson, Ruben van Heerden, Thembelani Bholi, Andre Warner, Manie Libbok, Divan Rossouw.
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Blue Bulls coach David Manual also named his team for Saturday’s SuperSport Rugby Challenge match against the iCOLLEGE Pumas at Loftus Versfeld. The team is:
Earll Douwrie, Duncan Matthews, Ulrich Beyers, JT Jackson, Jamba Ulengo, Francois Brummer, Embrose Papier, Jano Venter, Abongile Nonkontwana, Boom Prinsloo (c), Aston Fortuin, Marius Verwey, Madot Mabokela, Edgar Marutlulle, Cabous Eloff. Replacements: Johan Grobbelaar, Morne Smith, Adre Smit, Shaun Adendorff, Theo Maree, Tony Jantjies, Dries Swanepoel, Andell Loubser.
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