Mapoe, Van Rooyen return boosts Bulls Currie Cup chances

The Vodacom Bulls welcomed back stalwarts Lionel Mapoe and Jacques van Rooyen from injury as they head to Bloemfontein for their Carling Currie Cup showdown with the Toyota Cheetahs on Saturday.

The Bulls need two points from the game to be sure of securing top spot, or a bonus point and to deny the Cheetahs one if they are to finish above their rivals. For the Cheetahs denying the Bulls a bonus point and winning may be enough as they already shade the points difference.

But the return of Mapoe and Van Rooyen, who both missed out on the Vodacom United Rugby Championship semifinal trip to Dublin is massive for the Bulls, who have 28 players up north and therefore field a very young and inexperienced team.

That they have talent aplenty is for sure, and the team captained by Muller Uys and with a talented lock duo of Ruan Vermeulen and Raynard Roets at their helm, there certainly is a lot to look forward to for the future.

Mapoe’s combination with Stedman Gans will be a massive factor for the Bulls side and the calmness they bring to the team, which also has a young halfback duo of Juan Mostert and Keagan Johannes.

On the bench there is even more youth and a number of players that certainly won’t be household names but will have talent to wear the blue jersey.

With the youngsters the Bulls will start as massive underdogs, but know they have already upset a URC-side in the Lions with a young team before.

And with a potential home final on the line for them, they won’t lack motivation.

Vodacom Blue Bulls: Richard Kriel; Tharquin Manuel, Stedman Gans, Lionel Mapoe,Quewin Nortje; Juan Mostert, Keagan Johannes; Muller Uys (captain), Jaco Labuschagne, Eric Basson, Ruan Vermaak, Raynard Roets, Jacques van Rooyen, Sydney Tobias, Cebo Dlamini.

Replacements: Schalk Erasmus, Tielman Nieuwoudt, Francois Klopper, Ruan Delport, Willie Potgieter, Tiaan Fourie, FC du Plessis, Niel Beukes.