By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Photo Credit: Suresh Rajcoomar/Fullview.
The Vodacom Bulls have made wholesale changes to their starting XV for this week’s Investec Champions Cup opening round clash against Stade Français.
Handré Pollard returns at flyhalf, while Elrigh Louw takes over the captaincy.
However, Luan Giliomee being handed a first senior start at fullback is the call that’s bound to get tongues wagging in Pretoria.
The Junior Boks star comes into the backfield, pushing veteran Springbok Willie le Roux to the bench.
Giliomee was an early mid-season transfer from fellow South African URC outfit the Sharks, with many viewing the starlet as a future Bok in the making. He was effectively signed as part of a swap deal, with the Sharks getting hooker Esethu Mnebelele.
Up front, Alu Tshakweni, Jan-Hendrik Wessels and Khutha Mchunu form an entirely new starting front row, replacing Gerhard Steenekamp, Johan Grobbelaar and Francois Klopper. Cobus Wiese also moves into the second row alongside JF van Heerden, with Ruan Vermaak dropping out of the 23-man squad.
There is a significant reshuffle in the loose forwards. Marco van Staden and Louw move into the starting line-up, with the latter assuming the captaincy, while Cameron Hanekom retains his place at No 8. Hanro Liebenberg drops out of the match-day squad, while Jeandre Rudolph moves to the bench.
The backline sees further changes, with Cheswill Jooste coming in on the left wing and Sango Xamlashe selected at outside centre. Harold Vorster and Sebastian de Klerk retain their places at inside centre and right wing respectively.
Among the replacements, Embrose Papier comes in for Keagan Johannes, while Stravino Jacobs joins Le Roux in providing backline cover. Grobbelaar, Steenekamp and Klopper are also named among the forwards on the bench.
Bulls: 15. Luan Giliomee, 14. Sebastian de Klerk, 13. Sango Xamlashe, 12. Harold Vorster, 11. Cheswill Jooste, 10. Handre Pollard, 9. Paul de Wet, 8. Cameron Hanekom, 7. Elrigh Louw (captain), 6. Marco van Staden, 5. JF van Heerden, 4. Cobus Wiese, 3. Khutha Mchunu, 2. Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 1. Alu Tshakweni.
Replacements: 16. Johan Grobbelaar, 17. Gerhard Steenekamp, 18. Francois Klopper, 19. Jaco Grobbelaar, 20. Jeandre Rudolph, 21. Embrose Papier, 22. Stravino Jacobs, 23. Willie le Roux.