By Brenden Nel.
Vodacom Bulls coach Jake White selected a dream backline to face Connacht in his side’s third Vodacom United Rugby Championship match against Connacht on Friday night.
White was able to select an all-Springbok pace back three with Kurt-Lee Arendse joined by S’bu Nkosi and Canan Moodie on the wings in what White called an “incredible backline” that also includes a return to the 10 jersey for Johan Goosen.
White made six changes in all from the win over Edinburgh as his side targets their third consecutive win in this year’s competition and their ninth consecutive win at Loftus Versfeld in the URC. In fact, the only game the Bulls have lost in their last eight outings anywhere was the final last season against the DHL Stormers.
“It’s an incredible backline that we’ve put together, all of them have played for South Africa at some stage. It’s the first time we’re playing them together and I’m looking forward to how quickly they can take it onboard and click. They are all very talented rugby players, the key is how long it takes for them to gel as a team,” White said.
White also was excited about getting Goosen back in the 10 jersey.
“You saw last week was all about grooming him into the team environment after 11 months out, I’m not saying Chris (Smith) did anything wrong but it was always a question of time before we would get Goosen time at 10 as well,” White added.
White said the team had looked good in training but the proof was on the field.
“They are all very talented ball in hand, and in training they look very dangerous when they make line-breaks, and hopefully we will be able to keep ball in hand. They are all clever rugby players,” White added.
White said they were wary of Connacht, especially after they lost 34-7 to them in Galway last year – as White pointed out was the Bulls’ biggest loss of their first season in URC.
“Connacht are a side that never give it away. Even though the score was a blowout, and even in their first game against Ulster they were in it until the end. We can’t just think things will go our way – last week they played without Bundee Aki in the last half of the game. We know they gave us a hiding last year and we know we need to play really well.
“They are a very direct team, the most direct team in the competition. They are well-coached and I know Andy Friend well, he was at the Brumbies before me. They are a typical Irish team in that they give nothing away, they fight to the end.”
The other changes see Marco van Staden in at seven for Ruan Vermaak while young tighthead Francois Klopper earns a start.
The game kicks off at 18h30.