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Duane Vermeulen has recovered from a blow and will lead the Vodacom Bulls in their confrontation with the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein on Friday.
Vermeulen was left out of the Bulls’ narrow 30-23 win over Griquas in Pretoria last weekend after head coach Jake White decided not to risk the No. 8 Springbok, with Arno Botha taking over as captain.
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His return is one of five personnel changes to the Bulls starting lineup, as White has decided to rotate the team following a dubious performance in his first Super Rugby Unlocked game.
Vermeulen replaces Tim Agaba, who is retiring entirely from the game-day squad, in the first of two group changes, with Johan Grobbelaar replacing Corniel Els on hooker as the other.
In a much changed defense, Embrose Papier rotates with Ivan van Zyl, who falls to the bank.
There’s also a new center combination as Clinton Swart makes his first official start for the Bulls at inside center, with Cornal Hendricks moving to outside center and Stedman Gans named as a backup.
In the final team change, Travis Ismaiel is out of Matchday 23. Jade Stighling will start on the left wing, while David Kriel moves to take Ismaiel’s place on the right wing.
There are a couple of potential bench debuts, as U21 star Joe van Zyl could make his first senior appearance after being named a replacement hooker.
Nizaam Carr will also debut in the Bulls colors after the former loose forward for the Stormers and Wasps missed the opener through injury.
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Springbok’s loose-headed mainstay Lizo Gqoboka has been ruled out of the match after injuring his calf against Griquas. His place on the bench is taken by Gerhard Steenekamp.
Bulls – 15 Gio Aplon, 14 David Kriel, 13 Cornal Hendricks, 12 Clinton Swart, 11 Jade Stighling, 10 Morne Steyn, 9 Embrose Papier, 8 Duane Vermeulen (c), 7 Arno Botha, 6 Marco van Staden, 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Jason Jenkins, 3 Trevor Nyakane, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 1 Jacques van Rooyen.
Subs: 16 Joe van Zyl, 17 Gerhard Steenekamp, 18 Mornay Smith, 19 Sintu Manjezi, 20 Nizaam Carr, 21 Ivan van Zyl, 22 Chris Smith, 23 Stedman Gans.
Photo: Lee Warren / Gallo Images
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