The Vodacom Bulls ramp up preparations for the new 2023/24 campaign with a trip to Namibia where they will take on the Welwitschias who are in their final preparation stages for the 2023 Rugby World Cup. The 25-man squad from Tshwane will be led by Reinhardt Ludwig with exciting debuts on the cards for new recruits.
Deon Slabbert, Mpilo Gumede, Jaco van der Walt and Sergeal Petersen will all run out for the Vodacom Bulls for the first time since arriving at Loftus. The outing will also be a welcomed return for ‘Rocket Man’ Stravino Jacobs who has recovered from his season-ending injury suffered earlier in the year.
Director of Rugby, Jake White has assembled a front row that features Dylan Smith (loose-head), Jan-Hendrik Wessels (hooker) and Robert Hunt (tight-head) with a lock combination of Slabbert and Ludwig at second row. WJ Steenkamp (blind-side) and Mihlali Mosi (open-side) start at flank with Gumede at eight, completing the back row.
Zak Burger pairs up with van der Walt at halfback with Jacobs (left wing) and Sibongile Novuka (right wing) flanking the centre combination of Chris Barend Smit and Cornal Hendricks. Petersen starts at fullback.
The clash will take place on Saturday 26 August 2023, at the WHS Vegkop Stadium in the Namibian capital with kick-off set for 19h00 in the evening.
VODACOM BULLS STARTING XV: 1. Dylan Smith, 2. Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 3. Robert Hunt, 4. Deon Slabbert, 5. Reinhardt Ludwig (c), 6. WJ Steenkamp, 7. Mihlali Mosi, 8. Mpilo Gumede, 9. Zak Burger, 10. Jaco van der Walt, 11. Stravino Jacobs, 12. Chris Barend Smit, 13. Cornal Hendricks, 14. Sibongile Novuka, 15. Sergeal Petersen
VODACOM BULLS IMPACT SQUAD: 16. Jacques van Rooyen, 17. Tiaan Lange, 18. Simphiwe Matanzima, 19. Ruan Venter**, 20. Phumzile Maqondwana, 21. Bernard van der Linde, 22. Cameron Hanekom, 23. Juan Mostert**, 24. Eugene Hare**, 25. Kabelo Mokoena
** denotes a club player