By Brenden Nel.
The Vodacom Bulls have selected a virtual first-choice URC side to face DHL Western Province in their Currie Cup match at Loftus Versfeld on Friday night.
The Bulls have signalled their intent, especially after the mauling they took on Sunday against the defending champion Pumas and have decided to put almost their strongest side on the field.
The mauling may be one reason, but it is also ahead of two massive weeks for them in which they will face Ulster in Belfast and then Toulouse in the Heineken Champions Cup the week after.
Regular URC captain Ruan Nortje will lead the side into battle and will have several familiar faces alongside him for the clash.
David Kriel moves to fullback and is joined by former Affies winger Quewin Nortje. Nortje made his Currie Cup debut last year against the Toyota Cheetahs. S’bu Nkosi rounds out the back three with Cornal Hendricks and Harold Vorster giving the midfield a more familiar look.
Chris Smith takes over from Morne Steyn while Zak Burger is his halfback partner, replacing Bernard van der Linde, who faced the Pumas last week.
The loose trio has a very URC look about it with Springboks Elrigh Louw and Marco van Staden being joined by Cyle Brink while Ruan Vermaak partners Nortje at lock.
The regular starting front row is also doing Currie Cup duty with Mornay Smith, Johan Grobbelaar and Gerhard Steenekamp in action while veteran Bok Bismarck du Plessis is on the bench along with two other Springboks in Embrose Papier and Morne Steyn.
Former Blitzbok Stedman Gans also makes a welcome return to the team on the bench.
Vodacom Bulls: David Kriel, Quewin Nortje, Cornal Hendricks, Harold Vorster, S’bu Nkosi, Chris Smith, Zak Burger; Elrigh Louw, Cyle Brink, Marco van Staden, Ruan Nortje (captain), Ruan Vermaak, Mornay Smith, Johan Grobbelaar, Gerhard Steenekamp.
Replacements: Bismarck du Plessis, Simphiwe Matanzima, Francois Klopper, Janko Swanepoel, WJ Steenkamp, Embrose Papier, Morne Steyn, Stedman Gans.
Meanwhile the Fidelity ADT Lions have made several changes following their loss to DHL Western Province in the opening round of the Currie Cup for Friday’s clash against the defending champion Airlink Pumas in Nelspruit.
The Lions have brought back fullback Andries Coetzee to the last line of defence while a refurbished midfield, comprising of Tyler Bocks and Rynhardt Jonker will start the match.
Ruben Schoeman comes in to partner Darrien Landsberg at lock while flanker Jarod Cairns earned himself a starting role after impressing from the bench last weekend.
Fidelity ADT Lions: Andries Coetzee; Stean Pienaar, Rynhardt Jonker, Tyler Bocks, Boldwin Hansen; Vaughan Isaacs, Morne van den Berg, Travis Gordon (captain), Ruan Delport, Jarod Cairns, Darrien-Lane Landsberg, Ruben Schoeman, Ruan Smith, Jaco Visagie, Rhynardt Rijnsburger.
Replacements: Morne Brandon, Sti Sithole, Kabous Bezuidenhout, Raynard Roets, Ruhan Straeuli, Sibusiso Sangweni, Nico Steyn, Tiaan Swanepoel.