Hendricks at centre for Bulls for Super Hero Sunday

It’s been an idea that has been mooted for a while now, but this weekend at the Vodacom Super Hero Sunday clash with the Emirates Lions, Vodacom Bulls coach Pote Human has drawn a wildcard and moved Bok winger Cornal Hendricks to the midfield.

Hendricks will start at 13 alongside captain Burger Odendaal in a midfield that sees regular outside centre Johnny Kotze move to 14 to accommodate the move as the Pretoria side picked close to their strongest line-up for the game.

But while Hendricks's move to the midfield is an exciting prospect that may well see him play there for an extended run this season, he certainly has the pace and size to fulfill the role, and Human sees that in him.

For a player that only returned to the field last season after heart problems and immediately made his mark in the competition, Hendricks will take another step forward for the team and look to increase his work rate, something that should come naturally to him.

If the Bulls can get him into space, his natural sidestep and pace will do them well as an attacking option, while on defence he hasn’t been found wanting since returning to the field.

Human said it was worth the gamble to use this opportunity to get Hendricks into the midfield and give him a chance to prove himself there.

“Cornal is a guy we want to give a chance there and it is the last opportunity to give him a chance. He and Johnny (Kotze) can always swop around during the game if it doesn’t work,” Human said.

Asked what he liked about Hendricks at 13, it was clear the pace and physicality were the attributes that contributed to the switch.

VETERAN STEYN GETS THE NOD

“His speed and his physicality. I like a centre with physicality like Burger (Odendaal). Especially when we think of the game against the Sharks where their midfielders will come hard against us, I think he can do the job there. But we will see on Sunday how he goes.

“He loves to get the ball in his hands.”

While the Bulls mostly stuck to their tried and trusted, there was an eyebrow raised at veteran Bok Morne Steyn getting the nod ahead of young Manie Libbok for the game.

But with Chris Smith on the bench as an option, it is clear that Human is going to move them around during the game.

The same goes for the halfbacks where Ivan van Zyl gets the nod ahead of Embrose Papier, although it is more likely both will play a half each to get some game time under their belts.

“Morne is an old guy, came back and had a good 30 minutes against Tuks last week and we wanted to give him another opportunity. The scrumhalves will always be a 50-50 but for this game we want to start with Ivan and see how he goes,” Human explained.

“Everyone knows what Manie can do, but I want to see what Morne can do. He looks good and very fit. He came back in good condition so I want to give him an opportunity. I also want to see Manie play a bit at fullback, he is incredibly dangerous if he has space and we will give him an opportunity there as well.

“We have Chris Smith as well and it is great to have him there as well and he can put pressure on the others.”

The team includes what is likely to be the starting line-up at lock with former Bok Juandre Kruger partnering with Andries Ferreira while Scottish international Josh Strauss gets a run at eight.

The impressive young loose forward Muller Uys slots in at seven with Wian Vosloo filling in at six for Marco van Staden.

• A second team was named for the pre-season outing against a second-string Lions team to be played at Loftus B field on Friday at 2pm.

Interesting names in the side include a return for Ruan Steenkamp, who will captain the side while Griquas lock Ian Groenewald, on loan to the Bulls, will get a run and former Lions halfback Marco Jansen van Vuren starts at nine.

The impressive David Coetzer, who had a great run in the second half against Tuks, is at 10.

TEAMS

Vodacom Bulls (to face Emirates Lions at Super Hero Sunday): Warrick Gelant, Johnny Kotze, Cornal Hendricks, Burger Odendaal (capt), Rosko Specman, Morne Steyn, Ivan van Zyl, Josh Strauss, Muller Uys, Wian Vosloo, Juandre Kruger, Andries Ferreira, Wiehahn Herbst, Jaco Visagie, Simphiwe Matanzima.

Replacements: Johan Grobbelaar, Gerhard Steenekamp, Mornay Smith, Ryno Pieterse, Ruan Nortje/Jean Droste, Embrose Papier, Chris Smith, Divan Rossouw, Dylan Sage, Manie Libbok, Jeandre Rudolph, Abongile Nonkontwana, Tim Agaba.

Vodacom Blue Bulls (to face Lions XV at Loftus on Friday): Richard Kriel, Jade Stighling, Marnus Potgieter, Franco Naude, Sebastiaan Jobb, David Coetzer, Marco Jansen van Vuren, Ewan Coetzee, Adre Smith, Ruan Steenkamp (capt), Jean Droste, Ian Groenewald, Madot Makabela, Louis van der Westhuizen, Dayan van der Westhuizen.

Replacements: Corniel Els, Kudzwai Dube, Eduan Swart, Carl Els, Janko Swanepoel, Jaco Labuschagne, Phillip Potgieter, Keegan Johannes, Vaughan Isaacs, Dawid Kellerman, Diego Appolis, Jay-Cee Nel.