White gives newcomer a chance at fullback against Pumas
With a Currie Cup program in which teams now play an average of two games per week, Jake White once again changed his team for Wednesday's game against the Pumas to keep as many players as possible in his group involved in the competition.
Talented fullback, Sibongile Novuka, will earn his first start for the Blue Bulls when they take on New Nation Pumas in a Carling Currie Cup clash on Wednesday.
Novuka, who has come off the bench in two previous outings this season, is among a number of changes to a new-look backline which will include a midfield pairing of Cornal Hendricks and Stedman Gans, while Johan Goosen and Zak Burger will partner once again for the halfback combination.
Arno Botha will again lead the side as captain while spearheading a forwards pack that will see No8, Elrigh Louw, returning to the starting XV after being utilised from the bench against the Sharks at the weekend.
Hooker Schalk Erasmus, together with props Gerhard Steenekamp and Mornay Smith, will also start the match in the front row at Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit.
Bulls director of rugby, Jake White, said this is his team’s penultimate match in the round robin stages, so it is important that they give it their best shot in the remaining matches to secure a spot in the playoffs.
“We had the opportunity to rotate the team in some positions at the weekend, and it paid off. We have done the same for this midweek game in order to give the players enough opportunity to make a contribution towards the team,” White remarked.
According to White, they are looking forward to seeing what the likes of Novuka can offer from the start of the match after having shown his worth from the bench in previous encounters.
“The Pumas will be a tough competitor, especially at home in Nelspruit. They do not occupy third position on the log by accident – they have been strong competitors throughout this campaign,” White concluded.
The match will kick-off at 14:30.
The Blue Bulls team is:
15. Sibongile Novuka (ABE Midas Naka Bulle)
14. Kurt-Lee Arendse (Betway Centurion)
13. Stedman Gans (Northam)
12. Cornal Hendricks (Northam)
11. Stravino Jacobs (Harlequins)
10. Johan Goosen (ABE Midas Naka Bulle)
9. Zak Burger (Tuine)
8. Elrigh Louw (Tuks)
7. Muller Uys (Tuks)
6. Arno Botha (ABE Midas Naka Bulle) – Captain
5. Ruan Nortje (ABE Midas Naka Bulle)
4. Janko Swanepoel (Pretoria)
3. Mornay Smith (Betway Centurion)
2. Schalk Erasmus (Tuine)
1. Gerhard Steenekamp (ABE Midas Naka Bulle)
Replacements: 16. Jan-Hendrik Wessels (U20), 17. Jacques van Rooyen (Tuine), 18. Mhleli Dlamini (Harlequins), 19. Reinhardt Ludwig (U20), 20. WJ Steenkamp (Tuine), 21. Keagan Johannes (Tuks), 22. Chris Smith (Harlequins) and 23. Lionel Mapoe (Pretoria).
Standby players: 24. Nolan Pienaar (U20), 25. Reinhardt Roets (U20), 26. Joe van Zyl (Harlequins), 27. Marco Jansen van Vuren (Pretoria) and 28. Madosh Tambwe (Pretoria).
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