The Vodacom Bulls again selected a shadow URC team ahead of their crucial Carling Currie Cup encounter against Windhoek Draught Griquas at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.
The majority of the team is the same that beat Glasgow Warriors in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship last weekend, with a few exceptions, as the Bulls try and get themselves a step closer to a home playoff place and keep their position at the top of the log.
Canan Moodie slots in at fullback again alongside Madosh Tambwe, but this time Stravino Jacobs, who hasn’t been seen in a Bulls jersey for a long time, is back on the right wing.
With Morne Steyn undergoing some treatment on his back, Chris Smith is back at flyhalf, while WJ Steenkamp makes an appearance at eight alongside regulars Cyle Brink and Arno Botha. Reinhardt Ludwig partners Walt Steenkamp at lock, while Robert Hunt gets another go at tighthead, this time alongside young star Jan-Hendrik Wessels at hooker.
Griquas ran the Bulls close in Kimberley for most of the game and will be looking to do the same at Loftus.
The side will be captained by Botha.
“We have no doubt that we have a very tough fixture this weekend against a Windhoek Draught Griquas side that have shown what they are capable of. They are always a tough side to beat and we are certain that they will come out guns blazing this weekend,” said Vodacom Bulls director of rugby Jake White ahead of the match.
“We are trying to have a good balance in this team, as evidenced by our selection. We have given a few of the guys who have been playing Vodacom URC some time out while others will continue to add value to the Carling Currie Cup.”
The match will kick-off at 5pm and it will be televised live on SuperSport.
Vodacom Bulls: Canan Moodie, Stravino Jacobs, Cornal Hendricks, Harold Vorster, Madosh Tambwe, Chris Smith, Embrose Papier; WJ Steenkamp, Cyle Brink, Arno Botha, Reinhardt Ludwig, Walt Steenkamp, Robert Hunt, Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Lizo Gqoboka.
Replacements: Schalk Erasmus, Simphiwe Matanzima, Dylan Smith, Ruan Nortje, Muller Uys, Keagan Johannes, Juan Mostert, Stedman Gans.