Ruan Nortje will lead a Vodacom Bulls side featuring a plethora of Vodacom United Rugby Championship regulars in the Currie Cup clash against Griquas in Kimberley on Saturday.
Having exited the Vodacom URC at the quarter-final stage last weekend, the Vodacom Bulls have named a strengthened team to travel to Kimberley and take on last season’s Currie Cup finalists.
Captain Nortje is joined in the pack by regular lock partner Ruan Vermaak, as well as Springboks Elrigh Louw, Nizaam Carr and Marcell Coetzee, while Johan Grobbelaar forms the front row with Mornay Smith and Gerhard Steenekamp.
Halfbacks Embrose Papier and Chris Smith, fullback David Kriel and centre pair Harold Vorster and Stedman Gans all faced the DHL Stormers in Cape Town and are included in the Currie Cup starting lineup.
Bulls – 15 David Kriel, 14 Sibongile Novuka, 13 Stedman Gans, 12 Harold Vorster, 11 Marco Jansen van Vuren, 10 Chris Smith, 9 Embrose Papier, 8 Elrigh Louw, 7 Nizaam Carr, 6 Marcell Coetzee, 5 Ruan Nortje (c), 4 Ruan Vermaak, 3 Mornay Smith, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 1 Gerhard Steenekamp.
Subs: 16 Jan Hendrik Wessels, 17 Simphiwe Matanzima, 18 Francois Klopper, 19 Charlie Ewels, 20 Cyle Brink, 21 Keagan Johannes, 22 Chris Smit, 23 Cornal Hendricks.
? TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT ?
Here is your Vodacom Bulls team to take on the Windhoek Draught Griquas tomorrow ? pic.twitter.com/DXltLN3Wfd
— Official Blue Bulls (@BlueBullsRugby) May 12, 2023
Photo: Christiaan Kotze/BackpagePix