Blue Bulls Director of Rugby, Jake White, has named a full-strength match day squad that will face the Lions in their Carling Currie Cup semi-final at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.

Stravino Jacobs retains his spot on the left wing as a revamped backline sees the return David Kriel (fullback) while Cornal Hendricks and Stedman Gans resume their successful partnership in the midfield.

Kurt-Lee Arendse is set to continue his attacking form on the right wing while Ivan van Zyl and Morné Steyn continue with their halfback pairing as the latter celebrates a ton of provincial matches for the Bulls.

Steyn’s contributions to the Bulls at provincial level has been one of dedication and loyalty with all his appearances having been in the light blue jersey.

His 76 Carling Currie Cup caps alongside 18 Vodacom Cup appearances coupled with five sanctioned friendlies is testament to not only his immense talent but also his professionalism.

Amongst the forwards, Duane Vermeulen resumes the captaincy and will man the back of the scrum alongside Elrigh Louw and Marco van Staden as blindside and openside flank respectively.

Sintu Manjezi has been named at no.4 lock while his partner Ruan Nortje continues in his role as lineout coordinator in the no.5 jumper.

The young yet incredibly talented Schalk Erasmus will have the confidence knowing that his role at hooker will be aided by two Springbok props in Lizo Gqoboka and Trevor Nyakane.

The bench is littered with players who have given their all when called upon and this weekend’s finishers is no different with Arno Botha, Jacques van Rooyen, Embrose Papier and Chris Smith set to provide vitally important fresh legs in a crucial match.

White also chose to appoint 23-year-old Mornay Smith as his replacement tighthead prop. In light of Springbok Marcel van der Merwe’s struggles in the fixed scrums since joining the Blue Bulls late last year, Smith’s inclusion is probably a good move. The Lions are a team that relies on their good scrumming and White probably could not take chances with his choices in the front row.

Although Smith is still young and fairly inexperienced at senior level, this former pupil of Hoërskool Eldoraigne in Centurion has already shown that he is a very solid scrum worker.

“We have reached the business end of the Carling Currie Cup and I must commend our entire squad on getting us to this point. Every player in our ranks has contributed to our cause with enthusiasm and a never say die attitude,” said White.

According to White focusing on this weekend has been in their minds for the last two weeks and they have done all we can in terms of preparation.

“We know how to win and we have to just that against a team that has pushed us each time we’ve played them,” White concluced.

Blue Bulls: 15. David Kriel, 14. Kurt-Lee Arendse, 13. Stedman Gans, 12. Cornal Hendricks, 11. Stravino Jacobs, 10. Morné Steyn, 9. Ivan van Zyl, 8. Duane Vermeulen (C), 7. Elrigh Louw, 6. Marco van Staden, 5. Ruan Nortje, 4. Sintu Manjezi, 3. Trevor Nyakane, 2. Schalk Erasmus, 1. Lizo Gqoboka. Replacements: 16. Johan Grobbelaar, 17. Jacques van Rooyen, 18. Mornay Smith, 19. Jan Uys, 20. Arno Botha, 21. Embrose Papier, 22. Chris Smith, 23. Marco Jansen van Vuren.

• Meanwhile, the Lions also named their team for Saturday:  Tiaan Swanepoel; Stean Pienaar, Wandisile Simelane, Burger Odendaal, Courtnall Skosan; Elton Jantjies (k), André Warner; Len Massyn, Vincent Tshituka, Jaco Kriel, Marvin Orie, Willem Alberts, Jannie du Plessis, Jaco Visagie, Sti Sithole. Replacements: Jan-Henning Campher, Ruan Dreyer, Carlu Sadie, Reinhardt Nothnagel, Wilhelm van der Sluys, Krappies van den Berg, Dan Kriel, Francke Horn.

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