By Brenden Nel.
Veteran flyhalf Morne Steyn has been included as one of three flyhalves for the Vodacom Bulls final leg of their “month of hell” tour where they will complete their preliminary Heineken Champions’ Cup fixtures and stay on for their next away Vodacom United Rugby Championship fixture as well.
Steyn joins Chris Smith and Johan Goosen as the pivots in the 31 man squad, who will first do battle against Lyon on Friday and then face Scarlets in their next game in Wales next week.
The side departed Tuesday evening for their matches, needing just one bonus point to confirm their place in the Heineken European Cup playoffs.
Captain Ruan Nortje leads the side again after an impressive performance against Exeter Chiefs while there are several current and ex-internationals in the team as well.
Bismarck du Plessis, Marco van Staden, Embrose Papier, Nizaam Carr, Elrigh Louw, Kurt-Lee Arendse, Cornal Hendricks, Lionel Mapoe and Canan Moodie all get a place in the travelling squad while Bernard van der Linde has been picked as the third scrumhalf.
Vodacom Bulls travelling squad: 1. Ruan Nortje (captain), 2. Simphiwe Matanzima, 3. Bismarck Du Plessis, 4. Francois Klopper, 5. Ruan Vermaak, 6. Janko Swanepoel, 7. Marco Van Staden, 8. Cyle Brink, 9. Embrose Papier, 10. Johan Goosen, 11. David Kriel, 12. Gerhard Steenekamp, 13. Johan Grobbelaar, 14. Mornay Smith, 16. Reinhardt Ludwig, 17. Wandisile Simelane, 18. Dylan Smith, 19. Nizaam Carr, 20. Elrigh Louw, 21. Zak Burger, 22. Chris Smith, 23. Stravino Jacobs, 24. Jan Hendrik Wessels, 25. Kurt-Lee Arendse, 26. Harold Vorster, 27. Lionel Mapoe, 28. Canan Moodie, 29. Bernard Van Der Linde, 30. Morne Steyn, 31. Cornal Hendricks.
Meanwhile Bulls have strengthened their playing stocks with the signature of Edinburgh utility back Henry Immelmann.
Immelmann was considered one of the brightest young schoolboy stars before he left for Montpellier in France and thereafter joined Edinburgh.
The Bulls have signed him on a three-year deal that starts on 1 July 2023.
The former Grey College star, who also played for CUT Ixias in his time, has played more than 100 first-class games and now at 27 years old wants to return home.
He has been a mainstay in Edinburgh’s team and has played well alongside the Argentinean wing-cum-fullback Emiliano Boffelli.