By Brenden Nel.
There was no place in the Vodacom Bulls touring squad for ex-Bok Lionel Mapoe and rising star Stravino Jacobs while Jan-Hendrik Wessels is struggling with a niggle and won’t tour.
The trio were the notable exceptions to the touring squad that left on Monday to head to Wales to face the Dragons this weekend and continue their “month of hell” tour abroad.
“We have another three away games this January – this is the block that is toughest for us, playing six out of seven games on the road – so things aren’t getting any easier but we just have to make sure that we improve every week,” Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White said in naming the touring squad.
“This is a massive test of character for us as a group, both coaches and players but we have to make sure that we start the new year with good energy and look to get both our campaigns (Vodacom United Rugby Championship and the Heineken Champions Cup) on track.”
The Bulls have a short turnaround and face the Dragons at Rodney Parade on Friday night with kickoff scheduled for 21h45.
VODACOM BULLS TOURING SQUAD:
FORWARDS (17): Simphiwe Matanzima, Johan Grobbelaar, Mornay Smith, Ruan Vermaak, Ruan Nortje(c), Marco van Staden, Cyle Brink, Elrigh Louw, Gerhard Steenekamp, Bismarck Du Plessis, Sebastian Lombard, Janko Swanepoel, Reinhardt Ludwig, WJ Steenkamp, Dylan Smith, Tiaan Lange, and Nizaam Carr.
BACKS (11): Zak Burger, Embrose Papier, Johan Goosen, Chris Smith, Bernard van der Linde, David Kriel, Harold Vorster, Cornal Hendricks, Wandisile Simelane, Canan Moodie and Kurt-Lee Arendse.