Vodacom Blue Bulls coach Phiwe Nomlomo named a powerful team that combines experience and youth for his side’s opening Carling Currie Cup match against DHL Western Province in Cape Town on Saturday.
With seven newcomers - six of the under-21 players and many of them part of the recent Junior Springbok World Champion side - the Bulls are hoping for a solid campaign.
World Cup-winner Marvin Orie stands out in a team led by former WP flanker Nama Xaba.
CAPPY 🤝 pic.twitter.com/QXiOvxfWex
— Official Blue Bulls (@BlueBullsRugby) July 24, 2025
The rest of the loose trio is full of experience with former Free Stater Jeandre Rudolph at eight and Junior Pokomela at seven.
Sintu Manjezi will partner Orie while Zak Burger and Boeta Chamberlain are the halfback combination.
Chris Barend Smit and Stedman Gans fill the midfield while on the wings former SA under-20 sensation Katlego Letebele and powerhouse Stravino Jacobs get their chance.
Henry Immelman, who did duty for the Sharks in the URC, is at fullback.
The seven newcomers are Shaun Schurmann, Jean Erasmus, Jaco Grobbelaar, Dylan de Leeuw, Steven Nel, PA van Niekerk and Marco Ferreira.
YOUR team to face DHL Western Province on Saturday for the first round of the Carling Currie Cup 🏆
— Official Blue Bulls (@BlueBullsRugby) July 24, 2025
⏰KICK-OFF: 17:10
📍DHL STADIUM @Vodacom | @TheCurrieCup #UNCENSORED pic.twitter.com/q0UJKWexGD
VODACOM BLUE BULLS: Henry Immelman; Katlego Letebele, Stedman Gans, Chris Barend Smit, Stravino Jacobs; Boeta Chamberlain, Zak Burger; Jeandre Rudolph, Junior Pokomela, Nama Xaba (captain), Marvin Orie, Sintu Manjezi, Francois Klopper, Joe van Zyl, Dylan Smith.
REPLACEMENTS: Shaun Schurmann, Lizo Gqoboka, Jean Erasmus, Jaco Grobbelaar, Dylan de Leeuw, Steven Nel, PA van Niekerk, Marco Ferreira