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Forward loose experienced Arno botha will lead a Bulls team packed with talented Springboks, Blitzboks and Junior Springbok against Griquas in the first round of Super Rugby Unlocked at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria on Saturday.
The bottom line remains relatively unchanged from the Super Fan Saturday team that beat the Sharks two weeks ago.
The only change is that the speedy David Kriel starts on the left wing when he makes his Bulls debut.
Springboks Gio Aplon, Cornal Hendricks, Travis Ismaiel, Morne Steyn and Ivan van Zyl are expected to shine on game day as their collective experience and ability to break through the defensive line will be the cornerstone of attack.
Among forwards, Blitzbok Tim Agaba starts at No. 8, where he joins the flanks of Springbok, Botha and Marco van Staden, while blocks Jason Jenkins and Ruan Nortje continue their partnership in the second row. Regular skipper Duane Vermeulen suffered mild knee discomfort last weekend and has been rested as a precaution.
The front row will be supported by ever-smiling World Cup winning mainstay Trevor Nyakane and Super Rugby stalwart Jacques “Policeman” van Rooyen, who will also make his Bulls debut.
The bench is no different in terms of explosive talent with Springbok mainstay Lizo Gqoboka and junior Springbok Johan Grobbelaar at the hooker eager to return to action after injury layoffs, while blocking Sintu Manjezi, flank Elrigh Louw and flyhalf Chris Smith are also ready to do their Bulls. Super Rugby opens.
“It has been months of preparation and weeks of training with the players and management excited to get started. We have a mission, we have set high standards and now is the time for the Bulls to put their authority in this competition,” Bulls said. rugby director Jake White said in a press release.
“The experience among our players allows us to implement our game plan quickly and on a solid foundation. I am extremely excited for all the players to make their debuts and I look forward to seeing them grow.”
The start is at 19:00 on Saturday.
Teams:
Bulls
15 Gio Aplon, 14 Travis Ismaiel, 13 Stedman Gans, 12 Cornal Hendricks, 11 David Kriel, 10 Morne Steyn, 9 Ivan van Zyl, 8 Tim Agaba, 7 Arno Botha (captain), 6 Marco van Staden, 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Jason Jenkins, 3 Trevor Nyakane, 2 Corniel Els, 1 Jacques van Rooyen
Substitutes: 16 Johan Grobbelaar, 17 Lizo Gqoboka, 18 Mornay Smith, 19 Sintu Manjezi, 20 Elrigh Louw, 21 Embrose Papier, 22 Chris Smith, 23 Marco Jansen van Vuren
Non-playing substitutes: Jan 24 Uys, Duane Vermeulen 25, Jade Stighling 26
Griquas
15 Anthony Volmink, 14 Daniel Kasende, 13 Harlon Klaasen, 12 Andre Swarts, 11 James Verity-Amm, 10 George Whitehead (captain), 9 Zak Burger, 8 Niell Jordaan, 7 Stefan Willemse, 6 Carl Els, 5 Victor Sekekete , 4 Ian Groenewald, 3 John-Roy Jenkinson, 2 HJ Luus, 1 Mox Mxoli.
Substitutes: 16 Alandre van Rooyen, 17 Bandisa Ndlovu, 18 Madot Mabokela, 19 Adre Smith, 20 Zandre Jordaan, 21 Gideon van der Merwe, 22 Ashlon Davids, 23 Berton Klaasen, 24 Mzwanele Zito, 25 Johan Momsen, 26 Bjorn Basson
