The Vodacom Bulls have named a powerful team for their second Carling Currie Cup home match of the season, against the Airlink Pumas on Saturday.
Coach Phiwe Nomlomo has again opted for a blend of youth and experience with six under-21 players in the matchday squad alongside experienced players like Jeandre Rudolph, Marvin Orie and Aphiwe Dyantyi.
There are also likely to be two debutants in the shape of former Grey College prop Casper Badenhorst and Selborne College old boy Daimon O’Connel, a scrumhalf.
Among the most significant changes is JJ Theron coming in for captain Nama Xaba, who has an injury niggle. Scrumhalf Zak Burger will take over the captaincy.
Jean Erasmus replaces Francois Kloppers at tighthead and Aphiwe Dyantyi shifts to left wing to accommodate Katlego Letebele on the right. Cornel Smit also gets his first start, in place of Stedman Gans.
The prolific halfback partnership of Burger and Jaco van der Walt has been retained.
VODACOM BULLS vs AIRLINK PUMAS
- Dylan Smith
- Juann Else
- Jean Erasmus
- Sintu Manjezi
- Marvin Orie
- Junior Pokomela
- JJ Theron
- Jeandre Rudolph
- Zak Burger (Capt)
- Jaco van der Walt
- Aphiwe Dyantyi
- Chris Smit
- Cornel Smit
- Katlego Letebele
- Boeta Chamberlain
- Esethu Mnebelele
- Lizo Gqoboka
- Casper Badenhorst
- Dylan de Leeuw
- Jaco Grobbelaar
- Marco Ferreira
- Daimon O’Connel
- PA van Niekerk
