Moodie thrown in at the deep end at fullback for Bulls

An injury to star fullback Kurt-Lee Arendse has forced the Vodacom Bulls to throw young rising star Canan Moodie into the unfamiliar role at fullback when the team faces Glasgow Warriors on Friday night in their Vodacom United Rugby Championship match at Loftus Versfeld.

Moodie, who has caused a sensation in his appearances for the Bulls thus far and is only 19 years old, will shift to fullback because Arendse has a hairline fracture in his thumb that he has already undergone surgery four.

While the length of absence varies, it is expected that Arendse will be out for between four and six weeks, but could be back sooner if the injury heals well.

The injury, which is similar to that which DHL Stormers fullback Warrick Gelant had, depends on the healing of the tendon on the thumb around the fracture, and Arendse has already had a screw inserted to aid in the healing process.

“Kurt Lee injured his thumb and should be out for the next few weeks,” Coach Jake White confirmed.

“We’ve had Canan running at fullback for a time now, especially as there is a chance that Kurt-Lee could be playing in the World Cup Sevens, and now we will get a chance to see him running there this weekend.

“Kurt-Lee had the injury sorted and it looks as if it will be between four and six weeks, but it could be sooner. Hopefully that means he can return for the Ospreys game, or at the back end of the Currie Cup or URC if we are still in the competition.”

White said everything depended on how the bone and ligament mended.

“It isn’t a major thing - a guy like Warrick healed quicker than anticipated for the Stormers and we are hoping the same for Kurt-Lee.”

Arendse will have the services of James Verity-Amm, who has played extensively at fullback, alongside him while Madosh Tambwe is on the other wing and the hope is the experience of the other two cogs in the back three will give the youngster confidence to attack from the back.

The Bulls made four changes to the backline from the side that beat Benetton last week and one change up front.

The halfbacks also change with Morne Steyn coming in at 10, while Zak Burger swops with Embrose Papier. Chris Smith is on the bench.

Up front Arno Botha swops with Cyle Brink, who drops to the bench as White continues to rotate the team.

A strong bench will see the return of Harold Vorster to action after missing last weekend’s game against Benetton.

“We have a tough task ahead of us this Friday,” White added.

“Despite their defeat to the DHL Stormers last week, Glasgow Warriors are a formidable side that we expect will bring a huge challenge for us. They are a well-coached group with a number of highly talented internationals in their squad.

“We will need to be alert and be at our best for the entire 80 minutes.”

The match between the Vodacom Bulls and Glasgow Warriors will kick off at 19h00 and it will be televised on SuperSport.

Vodacom Bulls: Canan Moodie, James Verity-Amm, Lionel Mapoe, Cornal Hendricks, Madosh Tambwe, Morne Steyn, Zak Burger; Elrigh Louw, Arno Botha, Marcell Coetzee (captain), Ruan Nortje, Walt Steenkamp, Mornay Smith, Johan Grobbelaar, Gerhard Steenekamp.

Replacements: Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Simphiwe Matanzima, Dylan Smith, Janko Swanepoel, Cyle Brink, Embrose Papier, Harold Vorster, Chris Smith.