Scrumhalf Ivan van Zyl will make his first start of the season in the Vodacom Bulls’ match against the Sharks in Pretoria on Saturday.
The 23-year-old has been utilised off the bench for the Bulls’ opening three matches of the Vodacom Super Rugby season, but will now rotate in for Papier.
There is also a new-look loose trio as both Tim Agaba and Jannes Kirsten come into the starting lineup. Hanro Liebenberg, who has been named as the stand-in captain in Lood de Jager’s absence, switches from flank to lock, while youngster Eli Snyman falls out of the match-day 23 entirely due to injury.
On the bench, former Cheetahs loose forward Paul Schoeman could be set for a first appearance in Bulls colours, should he come off the bench.
Bulls – 15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Cornal Hendricks, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Dylan Sage, 11 Rosko Specman, 10 Handré Pollard, 9 Ivan van Zyl, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Tim Agaba, 6 Jannes Kirsten, 5 Hanro Liebenburg (c), 4 Jason Jenkins, 3 Trevor Nyakane, 2 Schalk Brits, 1 Lizo Gqoboka.
Subs: 16 Corniel Els, 17 Simpiwe Matanzima, 18 Dayan van der Westhuizen, 19 Tembelani Bholi, 20 Paul Schoeman, 21 Embrose Papier, 22 Manie Libbok, 23 Divan Rossouw.
Photo: Gavin BarkerBackpagePix
