[ad_1]
- In a boost for the much-maligned Super Rugby Unlocked, all indications are that the already-changed Bulls-Pumas match is currently taking place.
- Jake White, the Bulls’ director of rugby, said his information is that the Lowvelders have enough players available and that the delay is more to determine if some self-isolated players can still be considered.
- Morne Steyn loses selection due to Covid-19 protocols.
the Bulls in all probability they will have the opportunity to culminate their success Super Rugby Unlocked campaign correctly assuming the Pumas at Loftus on Saturday.
That’s what Jake White, the franchise’s director of rugby, is “reading between the lines” with current information at his disposal.
SA Rugby will only confirm the status of the match on Friday when the results of another round of Covid-19 testing for Pumas players are known.
The Lowvelders had their game against the Lions postponed last week due to three players testing positive.
However, it appears that the possibility that Pumas’ mentor Jimmy Stonehouse could pick four players who were in quarantine as identified close contacts is the main reason for the delay rather than concerns about a possible outbreak within the team as a whole. .
“The feedback that I have received, and this is based solely on what our president and CEO have told me, is that the Pumas have been training with a full force team this week,” White said Thursday.
“By full force I mean everyone can play. The guys who were on the fence, the guys who were in close contact with the players who tested positive, were tested (Thursday). They didn’t test positive, just close contacts.
“The way I read it, the game is on. It now depends on whether the Pumas have access to the players that were isolated for their match team. Otherwise, they still have a full team of 23 men who can travel. to Pretoria. “
Pumas team management confirmed Sport24 that all available equipment, including players in preventive isolation, was tested Thursday, with results expected early Friday.
“All players who tested positive last week will only return to camp early next week, subject to testing,” said Marius van Rensburg, operations and team manager for the franchise.
“We will announce our team on Friday.”
Meanwhile, veteran pivot Morne Steyn is not on the Bulls’ game team due to Covid-19 protocols.
“Her son was baptized last Sunday and later it was learned that a person who was part of the sermon tested positive,” White said.
“We did not train on Monday and on Tuesday our entire team was tested, including Morne. But we decided not to risk it. They will do it again on Friday to see if he is still doing well. All of our players tested negative, we are ready to play.”
The start at Loftus is at 2:00 p.m.
Equipment:
Bulls
15 David Kriel, 14 Travis Ismaiel, 13 Stedman Gans, 12 Cornal Hendricks, 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 10 Chris Smith, 9 Ivan van Zyl, 8 Duane Vermeulen (captain), 7 Arno Botha, 6 Marco van Staden, 5 Ruan Nortje , 4 Walt Steenkamp, 3 Trevor Nyakane, 2 Corniel Els, 1 Jacques van Rooyen
Substitutes: 16 Joe van Zyl, 17 Gerhard Steenekamp, 18 Marcel van der Merwe, 19 Sintu Manjezi, 20 Nizaam Carr, 21 Embrose Papier, 22 Clinton Swart, 23 Marco Jansen van Vuren
Pumas
TBA
