The Vodacom Bulls have lost two of their best early-season performers in Jan Serfontein and Cheswill Jooste, both of whom succumbed to injury – shoulder and hamstring respectively – during last weekend’s VURC season-opener against the Ospreys.
Serfontein’s place is taken by experienced Harold Vorster for this Saturday’s game against Leinster (6.30pm) while Sebastian de Klerk shifts to right wing to accommodate Stravino Jacobs on the left.
Following Cobus Wiese’s HIA last weekend, Nicolaas Janse van Rensburg, who filled in with aplomb, starts this Saturday with Sintu Manjezi earning a place on the bench.
The Vodacom Bulls forward pack performed with muscle against the Ospreys, so it is heartening to see the pack largely unchanged for the Leinster challenge. Known for their pace and organisation, the Irish also boast an aggressive setpiece, which the Bulls will have to meet with their usual physical style.
Coach Johan Ackermann acknowledged that his team required polish after their first match, but believes he has the players to do so. The match fitness, too, needs attention, but he expects this to improve as the competition rolls on.
Saturday will be the team’s final match before they tour Ireland and Scotland. With such tours often proving difficult and unrelenting, it’s vital the Vodacom Bulls take every chance this weekend. Leinster are wounded, and this makes them doubly dangerous.
VODACOM BULLS TEAM
- Gerhard Steenekamp
- Johann Grobbelaar
- Mornay Smith
- N JV Rensburg
- JF van Heerden
- Marcell Coetzee
- Mpilo Gumede
- JJ Theron
- Embrose Papier
- Keagan Johannes
- Stravino Jacobs
- Harold Vorster
- David Kriel
- Sebastian de Klerk
- Devon Williams
- Juann Else
- Alulutho Tshakweni
- Francois Klopper
- Sintu Manjezi
- Nama Xaba
- Zak Burger
- Stedman Gans
- Willie le Roux
UNAVAILABLE DUE TO INJURY
Sti Sithole; Akker vd Merwe; Ruan Vermaak; Cobus Wiese (ready next week); Jaco Grobbelaar; Jannes Kirsten; Nizaam Carr; Elrigh Louw; Cameron Hanekom; Jeandre Rudolph; Johan Goosen; Kurt-Lee Arendse; Katlego Letebele; Cheswill Jooste (ready next week); Aphiwe Dyantyi.
