The Vodacom Bulls travel to the Northern Cape in search of a full house of points in round 10 of the 2023 Currie Cup against the Windhoek Draught Griquas in Kimberly. The clash at Windhoek Draught Park will kick-off at 15h00pm.
The herd will assemble a formidable forward pack with Gerhard Steenekamp (loosehead), Johan Grobbelaar (hooker) and Mornay Smith (tighthead) in the front row. Ruan Nortje and his namesake, Ruan Vermaak combine at lock. In the back row, returning Marcell Coetzee (blindside) starts alongside Nizaam Carr (openside) and Elrigh Louw (eighth man).
Embrose Papier (scrumhalf) and Chris Smith (flyhalf) will combine as the halfback combination for the outing.
In the backline, Marco Jansen van Vuren (left) will pair up with Fort Hare native, Sibongile Novuka (right) on the wings, whilst Harold Vorster and Stedman Gans link up at centre. David Kriel will start at fullback.
Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Simphiwe Matanzima, Francois Klopper, Charlie Ewels, Cyle Brink, Keagan Johannes, Chris Barend Smit and Cornal Hendricks form part of the impact squad, should their services be called upon.
WINDHOEK DRAUGHT GRIQUAS vs VODACOM BULLS STARTING XV: 1. Gerhard Steenekamp (Naka Bulle), 2. Johan Grobbelaar, 3. Mornay Smith (Centurion), 4. Ruan Vermaak (Naka Bulle), 5. Ruan Nortje (c) (Naka Bulle), 6. Marcell Coetzee, 7. Nizaam Carr (Harlequins), 8. Elrigh Louw (UP Tuks), 9. Embrose Papier (UP Tuks), 10. Chris Smith (Harlequins), 11. Marco Jansen van Vuren, 12. Harold Vorster (Northam Rhinos), 13. Stedman Gans (Northam Rhinos), 14. Sibongile Novuka (Naka Bulle), 15. David Kriel (Centurion)
VODACOM BULLS IMPACT SQUAD: 16. Jan-Hendrik Wessels (Pretoria), 17. Simphiwe Matanzima (Naka Bulle), 18. Francois Klopper (Tuine), 19. Charlie Ewels, 20. WJ Steenkamp (Tuine), 21. Keagan Johannes (UP Tuks), 22. Chris Barend Smit (Harlequins), 23. Cornal Hendricks (Northam Rhinos)
MANAGEMENT: Jake White – Director of Rugby, Sean Everitt – Defence & Breakdown, Hugo van As – Backline, Gert Smal – Forwards, Andre Volsteedt – Strength & Conditioning, Yusuf Vahed – Sports Scientist, John-William Meyer – Technical Analyst, Yusuf Vahed – Sports Scientist, Dr. Herman Rossouw – Team Doctor, Lance Lemmetjies – Senior Physiotherapist, Kyle Meyer – Physiotherapist, Elias Bennett – Team Manager, Zama Dyidi – Logistics Manager
