Staff Reporter.
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The Vodacom Bulls will give young teenager Canan Moodie a shot at his Vodacom United Rugby Championship debut against the Emirates Lions on Saturday.
Moodie, who was vice-captain of the Bulls under-20 side last year, made his Currie Cup debut two weeks ago, scoring a try in the win over Western Province in Cape Town.
Blessed with speed and a sidestep, the Bulls feel he is the right man to face the Lions and aren’t scared of blooding him in a game they desperately need to win.
Kurt-Lee Arendse will once again be tried out at fullback while Madosh Tambwe, who had a poor game against the Stormers, has been retained on the left. David Kriel drops to the bench to accommodate the back three shift.
Morne Steyn is back in the starting line-up alongside Embrose Papier, while Cornal Hendricks is omitted for Lionel Mapoe who will team up with Harold Vorster in the midfield to face their old teammates.
Marcell Coetzee returns as captain after coming in off the bench last weekend against the Stormers.
Simphiwe Matanzima will also start at loosehead after a strong performance in the Currie Cup win over Western Province and will face Carlu Sadie, who has milked more penalties than any other tighthead in the competition.
Interestingly, Bismarck du Plessis is on the bench with Johan Grobbelaar starting the match.
“The Lions showed a good fight in their match against the Sharks last weekend. We have no doubts that they will want to build from that and go one better in search of a win in their own back yard this weekend,” said Bulls director of rugby, Jake White.
“It is always a tough, physical battle against the Lions. They are a well-coached side that will throw everything at us. We are looking forward to another exciting URC encounter.”
The match between the Lions and Bulls will kick-off at 3pm CAT (SA, GMT+2), and it will be televised on SuperSport.
Vodacom Bulls: Kurt-Lee Arendse; Canan Moodie, Lionel Mapoe, Harold Vorster, Madosh Tambwe; Morne Steyn, Embrose Papier; Elrigh Louw, Arno Botha, Marcell Coetzee, Ruan Nortje, Walt Steenkamp, Jacques van Rooyen, Johan Grobbelaar, Simphiwe Matanzima.
Replacements:Bismarck du Plessis, Lizo Gqoboka, Robert Hunt, Janko Swanepoel, Muller Uys, Zak Burger, Chris Smith, David Kriel.