Flyhalf Chris Smith returns to the starting line-up as the Vodacom Bulls prepare for their short trip to Johannesburg, where they will face the Emirates Lions at Emirates Airline Park on Saturday, 22 May 2021.

Apart from Smith’s return, James Verity-Amm gets a start on the wing with Stravino Jacobs dropping to the bench as the Pretoria franchise continues exploiting its depth, with the aim to make it four wins on the trot in their Pro14 Rainbow Cup SA campaign.

The forwards see several changes as Springbok props Lizo Gqoboka and Trevor Nyakane get into the starting trenches in a direct swap with Gerhard Steenekamp and Mornay Smith.

Elrigh Louw returns to the blindside at flank resuming his successful combination with Springbok loose forwards Marco van Staden and captain Duane Vermeulen.

Springbok loose forward Nizaam Carr and utility back Clinton Swart shift up to the bench where they will undoubtedly add a boost in the second half.

“The more we are successful on the pitch, the bigger the target on our back gets. The Lions will not be happy with their returns over the first three matches and they will come out hunting this weekend. We need to be effective in playing our brand of rugby and keeping our momentum going,” said Vodacom Bulls: Director of Rugby, Jake White.

Kick-off is scheduled for 15:30. 

Bulls: 15. David Kriel (Betway Centurion), 14. Madosh Tambwe (Pretoria), 13. Marco Jansen van Vuren (Pretoria), 12. Cornal Hendricks (Northam), 11. James Verity-Amm (Pretoria), 10. Chris Smith (Harlequins), 9. Embrose Papier (Tukkies), 8. Duane Vermeulen (Harlequins, C), 7. Elrigh Louw (Tukkies), 6. Marco van Staden (Pretoria), 5. Ruan Nortje (ABE Midas Naka Bulle), 4. Walt Steenkamp (Betway Centurion), 3. Trevor Nyakane (Harlequins), 2. Johan Grobbelaar (Tukkies) and 1. Lizo Gqoboka (ABE Midas Naka Bulle). Replacements: 16. Schalk Erasmus (Tuine), 17. Gerhard Steenekamp (ABE Midas Naka Bulle), 18. Mornay Smith (Betway Centurion), 19. Janko Swanepoel (Pretoria), 20. Nizaam Carr (Betway Centurion), 21. Zak Burger (Tuine), 22. Clinton Swart (Tukkies) and 23. Stravino Jacobs (Harlequins). Standby players: 24. Jacques van Rooyen (Tuine), 25. Jan Uys (Pretoria), 26. Muller Uys (Tukkies), 27. Morne Steyn (Tuine) and 28. Keagan Johannes (Tukkies).

Match officials: Referee: AJ Jacobs. Assistant Referees: Aimee Barrett-Theron and Morné Ferreira. TMO: Marius Jonker

Do you have more information about the story?

Please send us an email to editorial@rekord.co.za or phone us on 083 625 4114.

For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord’s websites: Rekord East

For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram