The loss of Morne Steyn to a three-week ban has left the Vodacom Bulls a bit thin on the ground ahead of their Vodacom United Rugby Championship match against Zebre in Parma on Saturday.
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Steyn’s absence has left a big hole in the Bulls squad, but has opened the door for promising youngster Juan Mostert to join the team as back-up at 10 for the one-off trip to Italy this weekend.
Mostert, the former Paul Roos pivot who starred for Maties and Western Province, has also been a regular for the SA under-20 team as well during his age-grade rugby.
The squad leaves South Africa on Monday and is expected to arrive in Italy on Tuesday, where they will continue their preparations for their first overseas match since last October.
While Steyn’s ban has dominated talk ahead of the tour, the Bulls have named a strong team, which surprisingly is without scrumhalf Zak Burger for the trip.
Instead talented Keegan Johannes joins Embrose Papier on the tour and will provide service to Chris Smith, who is expected to start at 10.
Team captain Marcell Coetzee is expected to lead the team, which includes veterans Bismarck du Plessis, Arno Louw and some exciting backline talent.
The Bulls will be looking to get a good win on the road against the Italians, especially as they only won one of their four tour games last year and also have bad memories about the Rainbow Cup final where they were beaten soundly by Benetton in the final.
After home defeats to the Sharks and the Stormers in recent weeks, the five points on offer are massive in getting the team’s confidence back and giving them momentum ahead of the Munster game in two weeks’ time.
The touring squad is:
FORWARDS:
Lizo Gqoboka, Gerhard Steenekamp, Simphiwe Matanzima, Jacques van Rooyen, Robert Hunt, Bismarck du Plessis, Johan Grobbelaar, Joe van Zyl, Walt Steenkamp, Ruan Nortje, Janko Swanepoel, Marcell Coetzee, Arno Botha, Elrigh Louw, WJ Steenkamp, Reinhardt Ludwig.
BACKS:
Embrose Papier, Keagan Johannes, Marco Jansen van Vuren, Chris Smith, Juan Mostert, Harold Vorster, Lionel Mapoe, Stedman Gans, Cornal Hendricks, Madosh Tambwe, Canan Moodie, Kurt-Lee Arendse.