Jake White picks interesting team for URC game against Scarlets
No Embrose Papier in the group of 23, Cornal Hendricks at outside centre, Chris Smith at the expense of Morné Steyn in the starting line-up, a teenager as reserve lock on the bench and several players set to play their third tough game in seven days – these are some of the characteristics of the team that Jake White announced to face Scarlets in a United Rugby Championship match at Loftus Versfeld on Friday night.
While the Bulls cannot afford to lose any of their remaining home games in the United Rugby Championship (URC), Jake White has made some very interesting choices in his squad to face the Scarlets from Wales on Friday night.
Some of the choices were forced due to injuries. Like the 19-year-old Reinhardt Ludwig as a reserve lock in the place of Janko Swanepoel.
In the case of Joe van Zyl as reserve hooker in Bismarck du Plessis’ place, it is about an unfinished disciplinary process.
Then there is the riddle about stars like Embrose Papier and David Kriel who do not get a place in the 23-man squad.
Anyway, loose-forward Cyle Brink is set to make his United Rugby Championship debut when his side takes on Welsh outfit, Scarlets Rugby, at Loftus Versfeld on Friday night.
The Bulls will end what has been a demanding week of rugby with a visit from the Llanelli-based side, this on the back of a mid-week Carling Currie Cup win over Sharks on Wednesday and a historic URC victory against Munster Rugby last Saturday.
The Pretoria-based side have made 10 changes to the team that was in action in the domestic match on Wednesday and four changes to the victorious team that was in action against Munster the past weekend.
“It has been a very busy week for us as a squad this week – playing three tough matches in a space of seven days in both the URC and Carling Currie Cup,” said Bulls director of rugby, Jake White, ahead of the game.
He emphasized that management of his playing personnel has been key this week. As a result, he has made a total of 10 changes to the team that was on duty on Wednesday night against the Sharks in the Carling Currie Cup.
“We have another tough match against a Scarlets team that has shown what a threat they can be I the Vodacom URC. We will need to be sharp and prepared to play an 80-minute game in what promises to be a highly competitive encounter,” White remarked.
Some of the changes to the team from the match against Munster will see Canan Moodie earning a starting berth at wing, while Cornal Hendricks shifts to outside centre, where he will form a midfield pairing with Harold Vorster.
Zak Burger returns to the starting XV at scrumhalf, while in the forwards Brink will don the No7 jersey.
The match will kick-off at 19:10 on Friday night.
Bulls team to face Scarlets: Kurt-Lee Arendse (Betway Centurion), Canan Moodie (Pretoria), Cornal Hendricks (Northam Rhinos), Harold Vorster (Northam Rhinos), Madosh Tambwe (Pretoria), Chris Smith (Harlequins), Zak Burger (Tuine); Elrigh Louw (UP Tuks), Cyle Brink (Betway Centurion), Marcell Coetzee (CAPT, ABE Midas Naka Bulle), Ruan Nortje (ABE Midas Naka Bulle), Walt Steenkamp (Tuine), Jacques van Rooyen (Tuine), Johan Grobbelaar (UP Tuks), Gerhard Steenekamp (ABE Midas Naka Bulle). Replacements: Joe van Zyl (Harlequins), Simphiwe Matanzima (ABE Midas Naka Bulle), Robert Hunt (Harlequins), Reinhardt Ludwig (UP Tuks), Arno Botha (ABE Midas Naka Bulle); Keagan Johannes (UP Tuks), Morne Steyn (Tuine), Lionel Mapoe (Pretoria).
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