Unchanged Bulls team to take on log leaders Leinster at Loftus
Jake White has left his team that crushed Zebre last week unchanged for the crucial final game of the league stage of the United Rugby Championship against Leinster, while Englishman Charlie Ewels adds some experience to the relatively young side that will face the Lions in a Currie Cup showdown, also at Loftus, after the conclusion of the URC game.
The Bulls have named an unchanged matchday 23 that will do duty against table-topping Irish side, Leinster in the ultimate round of the 2022/23 United Rugby Championship at Loftus Versfeld Stadium.
The two teams will meet at 16:00, flanked by two fixtures on the day as the fortress will host three premier rugby clashes, in one day – a rugby festival for the entire family.
Neighbours, the Lions will battle Zebre Parma from 13:00, followed by the Bulls and Leinster meeting.
The day’s action will culminate with the local Jukskei River Derby between the Blue Bulls and the Lions in round 7 of the 2023 Currie Cup.
BULLS vs LEINSTER: 1. Gerhard Steenekamp, 2. Johan Grobbelaar, 3. Mornay Smith, 4. Ruan Vermaak, 5. Ruan Nortje (c), 6. Marco van Staden, 7. Cyle Brink, 8. Elrigh Louw, 9. Embrose Papier, 10. Johan Goosen, 11. David Kriel, 12. Harold Vorster, 13. Stedman Gans, 14. Canan Moodie, 15. Kurt-Lee Arendse. Replacements: 16. Bismarck du Plessis, 17. Dylan Smith, 18. Francois Klopper, 19. Janko Swanepoel, 20. WJ Steenkamp, 21. Keagan Johannes, 22. Chris Smith, 23. Cornal Hendricks.
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Ewels to make his Blue Bulls debut in Currie Cup derby
England International and Bath captain, Charlie Ewels, will make his Blue Bulls debut in round 7 of the 2023 edition of the Currie Cup when the men in blue take on their neighbours, the Lions.
The Jukskei River derby is set to kick off at 18:30pm, serving as the perfect crescendo to a day of unlimited rugby at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.
Ewels is one of only three changes made by Director of Rugby, Jake White to the matchday 23 that did service a week ago in Durban. Ewels steps in for Janko Swanepoel whilst WJ Steenkamp replaces Nizaam Carr who is currently going through the procedural HIA recovery process.
At the back, Juan Mostert comes in place of Franco Knoetze.
Blue Bulls vs Lions: 1. Simphiwe Matanzima, 2. Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 3. Sebastian Lombard, 4. Jacques Du Plessis, 5. Charlie Ewels, 6. Cameron Hanekom, 7. Reinhardt Ludwig, 8. WJ Steenkamp, 9. Zak Burger, 10. Morné Steyn, 11. Wandisile Simelane, 12. Chris Barend Smit, 13. Lionel Mapoe, 14. Sibongile Novuka, 15. Juan Mostert. Replacements: 16. Tiaan Lange 17. Jacques van Rooyen, 18. Robert Hunt, 19. Merwe Olivier, 20. Mihlali Mosi, 21. Bernard van der Linde, 22. Cornal Hendricks, 23. Kabelo Mokoena
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