Staff Reporter.
In a signal that they’re targeting an away win in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship, the Vodacom Bulls made a whopping 11 changes (one positional) to their side to face the Scalets on Friday night.
Only five players survive the mauling in the Heineken Champions’ Cup at the hands of Lyon last weekend as the Bulls looked to pick their strongest side for the Scarlets clash.
Currently lying third, the Bulls will be looking to take another step towards a home playoff spot with Ruan Nortje returning to lead the squad after being rested last week.
In fact, up front there are only three survivors from the Lyon mauling, with Marco van Staden and Cyle Brink lining up alongside Elrigh Louw in the loose trio, with Ruan Vermaak the only other player in the pack who started against Lyon.
The Bulls revert back to their starting front row of Gerhard Steenekamp, Johan Grobbelaar and Mornay Smith, while at halfback Zak Burger and Chris Smith resume their partnership.
Lionel Mapoe and Harold Vorster are the tried and tested midfield partnership, while with Canan Moodie and Kurt-Lee Arendse on enforced Springbok rest, Stravino Jacobs will move into Moodie’s wing spot, and Johan Goosen will cover at fullback. David Kriel remains on the other wing.
Bulls stand-in coach Chris Rossouw believes that their biggest threat will be controlling the Scarlets kicking game.
“The Scarlets are known to be a team that attacks a lot. In the last two months they have found the balance between attack and kicking game. How we manage that, and make sure we don’t get pinned in our own half, they have a great pack of forwards. Our biggest threat is managing their kicking game,” he said in announcing the team.
The kick off is at 21.35 and the game is live on SuperSport.
Vodacom Bulls: Johan Goosen; David Kriel, Lionel Mapoe, Harold Vorster, Stravino Jacobs; Chris Smith, Zak Burger; Elrigh Louw, Cyle Brink, Marco van Staden, Ruan Nortje (captain), Ruan Vermaak, Mornay Smith, Johan Grobbelaar, Gerhard Steenekamp.
Replacements: Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Simphiwe Matanzima, Francois Kloppers, Janko Swanepoel, Nizaam Carr, Embrose Papier, Cornal Hendricks, Wandisile Simelane.