Nine changes to Bulls

Vodacom Bulls’ coach Jake White has made nine changes to the starting XV that beat the DHL Stormers last weekend for his side’s final Kick Off game against the Cell C Sharks on Friday night.

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White included a new front row, new midfield and brought back veteran flyhalf Morne Steyn to the side as he continues to test combinations ahead of the Rainbow Cup.

Nizaam Carr continued to captain the side, with Lizo Gqoboka and Marcel van der Merwe returning to the front row alongside Schalk Erasmus.

Tim Agaba comes in at blindside with youngster Werner Gouws shifting to openside flanker for the clash, while in the midfield Dawid Kellerman and Marnus Potgieter will partner up in an appetising test for the youngsters, and Diego Appolis moves onto the wing.

“It is probably the oldest pack of forwards we can put on the field and the youngest backline – barring Morne Steyn on the field,” White said.

“It is a nice blend, gives us a chance to play a lot of guys who haven’t played for a long time. A guy like Marcel van der Merwe has been incredible – he has lost 10kg. he has been working with Jannie Brooks and has also been working on his scrummaging.

“Duffie and Marnus have played together at junior level, at under-19 and under-21 level so it gives me a chance to see what they can do at senior level.”

The midfield combination is partly due to the injury to Stedman Gans last week, whose ankle injury required surgery and sees him out for 10 weeks.

The bench has also been adjusted significantly with Jacques van Rooyen being named as a replacement after starting last week.

Juniors Raynard Roets and Reinhardt Ludwig will cover lock and loose forward respectively, while Clinton Swart and Jay-Cee Nel have been named as utility back cover, with Keagan Johannes being named as the scrumhalf replacement.

Vodacom Bulls: Richard Kriel, Madosh Tambwe, Marnus Potgieter, Dawid Kellerman, Diego Appollis, Morné Steyn, Zak Burger, Nizaam Carr (captain), Tim Agaba, Werner Gouws, Janko Swanepoel, Jan Uys, Marcel van der Merwe, Schalk Erasmus, Lizo Gqoboka.

Replacements: Janco Uys, Jacques van Rooyen, Mornay Smith, Raynard Roets, WJ Steenkamp, Keagan Johannes, Clinton Swart, Jay-Cee Nel, Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Reinhardt Ludwig, Bernard van der Linde, Niel Beukes.