Bulls Currie Cup head coach, Edgar Marutlulle has selected a balanced mix of experience alongside youth as the herd travels to Bloemfontein for round three of the 2023 Currie Cup competition.

The fixture against the Cheetahs is set to kick off at 17:05pm on Friday afternoon.

Springbok hooker, Lizo Gqoboka returns to the starting lineup, leading the side with Lionel Mapoe serving as his vice.

Gqoboka will line up alongside Jan Hendrik Wessels and Robert Hunt in the front row. Jacques Du Plessis and Reinhardt Ludwig will form part of the second row with Cameron Hanekom, Mihlali Mosi and Muller Uys behind them in the back row.

Keagan Johannes will lace up as the conductor with Chris Barend Smit slotting in at fly-half. Vice-captain, Lionel Mapoe and Wandisile Simelane will form part of the centre pairing with Kabelo Mokoena and Quewin Nortje on the wings as Franco Knoetze marshals the troops at full-back.

The young and lightning fast Quewin Nortje gets another chance on the wing, while a few players from Carlton Cup clubs are also involved in the team.

Blue Bulls starting XV: 1. Lizo Gooboka (c), 2. Jan Hendrik Wessels, 3. Robert Hunt, 4. Jacques Du Plessis, 5. Reinhardt Ludwig, 6. Cameron Hanekom, 7. Mihlali Mosi, 8. Muller Uys, 9. Keagan Johannes, 10. Chris Barend Smit, 11. Kabelo Mokoena, 12. Lionel Mapoe (vc), 13. Wandisile Simelane, 14. Quewin Nortje, 15. Franco Knoetze.   Replacements: 16. Joe Van Zyl, 17. Jacques Van Rooyen, 18. Sebastian Lombard, 19. Juan Van Der Weshuizen, 20. Phumzile Maqondwana, 21. Bernard Van Der Linde, 22. Adriaan Joubert, 23. Juan Mostert

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