Hendricks, Specman back for Bulls
Pote Human was forced to make some changes to his backline after injuries put players like Jesse Kriel and Jade Stighling out of action.
Wingers Cornal Hendricks and Rosko Specman have been recalled to Bulls duties and will start against the Waratahs on Saturday at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria.
Hendricks started in five of his six appearances in the Super Rugby competition this year and last played against the Jaquares four weeks ago.
Specman, who has scored four tries in his six appearances, last featured against the Sharks in March.
The duo comes in for injured Jesse Kriel and Jade Stighling respectively, following the close 22-23 defeat to the Stormers in Cape Town last week. Coach Pote Human moved Johnny Kotze to outside centre in place of Kriel, with Hendricks benefitting from this positional move.
Dylan Sage comes onto the bench in place of injured Divan Rossouw, while coach Pote Human also called André Warner into the match day squad. Sage started in three of his six appearances in the Vodacom Super Rugby season this year and last played against the Jaquares four weeks ago.
Warner won the last of his 13 caps against the Sunwolves last year and takes over from Embrose Papier on the bench.
Human left his pack unchanged.
The coach said the changes should not impact on the team’s performance.
“Both Rosko and Cornal played for us in more than half of our matches and are keen to get another run. I have no doubt we will see a good performance from both. Johnny has played outside centre for us before and will slot in with ease,” Human explained.
“We have a clear vision of what we want to achieve from this game. The Waratahs have a number of strike runners in their side and if they are allowed to prosper, you are in trouble. We will have to execute our plays and plans ruthlessly if we want to keep on the right side of the log,” Human said.
Bulls captain, Handré Pollard, said they are pleased to be back at Loftus Versfeld.
“We have been a tad inconsistent at home, to be honest we need to deliver a performance that we and the Loftus faithful will be happy with,” Pollard said.
The team to take on the Waratahs is: 15. Warrick Gelant, 14. Cornal Hendricks, 13. Johnny Kotze, 12. Burger Odendaal, 11. Rosko Specman, 10. Handré Pollard (c), 9. Ivan van Zyl, 8. Duane Vermeulen, 7. Hanro Liebenberg, 6. Marco van Staden, 5. RG Snyman, 4. Jannes Kirsten, 3. Trevor Nyakane, 2. Jaco Visagie and 1. Lizo Gqoboka. Replacements: 16. Johan Grobbelaar, 17. Simphiwe Matanzima, 18. Wiehan Herbst, 19. Thembelani Bholi, 20. Paul Schoeman, 21. André Warner, 22. Manie Libbok and 2 3. Dylan Sage.
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Papier to make rare start for Blue Bulls
Embrose Papier will make a rare start for the Blue Bulls in the SuperSport Rugby Challenge when they take on the Windhoek Draught Welwitschias at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria on Saturday.
Papier played in the competition three times last year before making his Springbok debut later in the year. He will replace André Warner, who was called into the Bulls squad.
Coach Nollis Marais was forced in a number of changes to his starting team that came up short against the Pumas last weekend, due to other call-ups.
Cornal Hendricks, Rosko Specman and Dylan Sage are all needed at the Bulls, which will see a brand-new backline in action.
Earll Dowrie will start at fullback, while Duncan Matthews moves from the back to wing and JT Jackson from flyhalf to centre. Cameron Hufke will make his senior debut on the wing and Theo Boshoff will start at fly half. Erich Cronje is the only player who will wear the same jersey again.
Up front, Nic de Jager will make a first appearance at flank while Marais also included a fit-again Roelof Smit on the bench.
Vaughan Isaacs and Diego Appollis has also been called into action, with both playing off the bench.
The changes are par for the course, said Marais.
“There is always the danger of losing players to the Vodacom Bulls and we have to cope with that. We also get players back at times and I am sure Embrose will enjoy the time on the field with us. The Namibian side are well-coached and will be a tough opponent, but we need to make sure we get on the winning track, starting this weekend,” he said.
The team is: Earll Douwrie, Duncan Matthews, Erich Cronje, JT Jackson, Cameron Hufke, Fiela Boshoff, Embrose Papier, Muller Uys, Nic De Jager, Ruan Steenkamp (c), Aston Fortuin, Marius Verwey, Mornay Smith, Werner Fourie, Nqoba Mxoli. Replacements: Joe van Zyl, Madot Mabokela, Ruan Nortje, Roelof Smit, Theo Maree, Vaughan Isaacs, Diego Appollis
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