By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Photo Credit: Suresh Rajcoomar/Fullview.
The Vodacom Bulls XV have received a massive boost with six members of South Africa’s World Rugby U20 Championship-winning squad included for tomorrow’s clash against the Lions in Johannesburg.
Hooker Siphosethu Mnebelele, flanks Kebotile Maake and Heinrich Theron, No 8 Thomas Beling, scrumhalf Hendre Schoeman and fullback Aka Boqwana all come to the aid of an injury-hit Bulls squad.
Seven players are in line to make their Currie Cup debuts. Maake, Theron, Schoeman and winger Lindsey Jansen all start, while lock Johnathan Eloff, Boqwane and centre/wing Lavela Pongolo could earn their first Currie Cup caps from the bench.
Experienced lock Nicolaas Janse van Rensburg has been handed the captaincy and will lead a side that blends established campaigners with emerging talent. He forms the second-row partnership with Sintu Manjezi, while world champion Beling starts at No 8 alongside fellow debutants Maake and Theron in the loose trio.
In the backline, another Junior Springbok world champion, Hendre Schoeman, gets the nod at scrumhalf alongside flyhalf Keagan Johannes. Jansen starts on the wing, with Devon Williams adding valuable experience at fullback.
The Bulls XV coaching staff will hope the blend of youthful enthusiasm and senior leadership can help spark their season after a losing start.
With local pride and valuable Currie Cup points at stake against their Gauteng rivals, Saturday’s encounter presents an opportunity for a new generation of Bulls talent to announce themselves.
Bulls Squad: 15 Devon Williams, 14 Riyaad Bam, 13 Hakeem Kunene, 12 Christiaan Viok, 11 Lindsey Jansen, 10 Keagan Johannes, 9 Hendre Schoeman, 8 Thomas Beling, 7 Heinrich Theron, 6 Kebotile Maake, 5 Nicolaas Janse van Rensburg (captain), 4 Sintu Manjezi, 3 Dian Coetzee, 2 Jaundre Schoeman, 1 Damian Baker.
Replacements: 16 Siphosethu Mnebelele, 17 Dylan Smith, 18 Jean Erasmus, 19 Johnathan Eloff, 20 Abongile Nonkontwana, 21 Cephas van Biljon, 22 Aka Boqwane, 23 Lavela Pongolo.