Bulls bring in Boks for Pumas
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Springbok veteran Morne Steyn returned to the Bulls' starting XV for their clash against the Pumas at Loftus Versfeld on Friday.
Bulls will be fielding an exciting starting XV with familiar personnel who have performed well for the team throughout the campaign, there will be some anticipation for the unleashing of youthful talent from the bench which includes Francois Klopper, Stephan Smit and Tharquinn Manuel, all of whom who played a key role in the recent Varsity Cup success of the University of Pretoria.
Steyn will start in the No.10 jersey in an exciting Bulls team that will be on duty in the side’s penultimate round-robin match in the competition.
Steyn will be part of the new-look halfback pair as Embrose Papier replaces Keagan Johannes at scrumhalf.
Lizo Gqoboka will once again lead the side as captain.
Bulls' new signing, Ruan Vermaak, will make his debut for the side.
The 24-year-old lock will be in the starting lineup, where he will partner with Janko Swanepoel for the second-row pairing.
Commenting on the team selections, Bulls head coach Gert Smal said: “We look forward to seeing this team continue the good form they have shown and also to continue improving on areas that need improvement.
"We are not yet at our peak, and it is important that we continue to see positive adjustments in our game with each passing week."
Teams
Bulls: 15 James Verity-Am, 14 David Kriel, 13 Stedman Gans, 12 Marco Janse van Vuren, 11 Richard Kriel, 10 Morne Steyn, 9 Embrose Papier, 8 Muller Uys, 7 Reinhardt Ludwig, 6 WJ Steenkamp, 5 Janko Swanepoel, 4 Ruan Vermaak, 3 Robert Hunt, 2 Bismarck du Plessis, 1 Lizo Gqoboka (captain).
Replacements: 16 Sidney Tobias, 17 Simphiwe Matanzima, 18 Francois Kloppers, 19 Raynard Roetz, 20 Stephan Smith, 21 Keagan Johannes, 22 Juan Mostert, 23 Tharquinn Manuel
Date: Friday, May 27
Venue: Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
Kick-off: 19.00 (17.00 GMT)
Referee: Marius van der Westhuizen
Assistant Referees: Paul Mente, Local
TMO: Quinton Immelman