Bulls select strongest possible team for Currie Cup survival battle against Lions in Johannesburg
The Blue Bulls meet the Lions later today in Johannesburg in an important Currie Cup match and a defeat will basically destroy their chance of reaching the play-off stage of the tournament and as a result Jake White has selected his best players for the battle.
The Blue Bulls head to the Emirates Airline Park later today for a derby bigger than bragging rights in round 11 of the 2023 Currie Cup campaign.
The Loftus Versfeld-based outfit will cross the Jukskei in search of a crucial victory over noisy neighbours, the Fidelity ADT Lions.
Kick-off in Johannesburg is set for 15:00.
Johan Goosen is the only change to the team that travelled to Kimberly, coming into the starting xv with Chris Smith moving to the impact squad. Goosen links up with Embrose Papier (scrumhalf) as the halfback combination on the day.
Gerhard Steenekamp (loosehead), Johan Grobbelaar (hooker) and Mornay Smith (tighthead) are in the front row, as Ruan Nortje and Ruan Vermaak combine at lock. Marcell Coetzee (blindside) starts alongside Nizaam Carr (openside) with Elrigh Louw at eight, completing the forwards pack.
The backline remains unchanged, with the services of Marco Jansen van Vuren (left) and Sibongile Novuka (right) retained at wing, whilst Harold Vorster and Stedman Gans line up at centre, with David Kriel at fullback.
Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Simphiwe Matanzima, Francois Klopper, Charlie Ewels, Cyle Brink, Keagan Johannes, Chris Smith and Cornal Hendricks form part of the impact squad.
BULLS STARTING XV vs LIONS: 1. Gerhard Steenekamp (Naka Bulle), 2. Johan Grobbelaar (UP Tuks), 3. Mornay Smith (Centurion), 4. Ruan Vermaak (Naka Bulle), 5. Ruan Nortje (c) (Naka Bulle), 6. Marcell Coetzee, 7. Nizaam Carr (Harlequins), 8. Elrigh Louw (UP Tuks), 9. Embrose Papier (UP Tuks), 10. Johan Goosen (Naka Bulle), 11. Marco Jansen van Vuren, 12. Harold Vorster (Northam Rhinos), 13. Stedman Gans (Northam Rhinos), 14. Sibongile Novuka (Naka Bulle), 15. David Kriel (Centurion).
REPLACEMENTS: 16. Jan-Hendrik Wessels (Pretoria), 17. Simphiwe Matanzima (Naka Bulle), 18. Francois Klopper (Tuine), 19. Charlie Ewels, 20. WJ Steenakamp (Tuine), 21. Keagan Johannes (UP Tuks), 22. Chris Smith (Harlequins), 23. Cornal Hendricks (Northam Rhinos).
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
