Bulls bench Libbok for Pumas clash

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Blue Bulls have opted to bring a new flyhalf as they make two changes for the Currie Cup clash against Pumas on Friday.

Marnitz Boshoff will start at flyhalf for the Blue Bulls at the Mbombela Stadium in Round Three on Friday.

The Nelspruit-born player replaces Manie Libbok as a pivot as Blue Bulls coach, Pote Human, made two changes to the side that lost out to the Free State Cheetahs last weekend, with Marco van Staden the other change at flank, where he takes over from Roelof Smit.

Ruan Steenkamp will again lead the side after taking over from Burger Odendaal, who pulled out of last weekend's match shortly before kick-off.

Odendaal pulled out due to a leg injury and his replacement then, Dylan Sage, will wear the number 12 jersey.

Human made a number of changes to his bench as well, with Libbok dropping into an impact-player role this time around. Andre Warner will also get his first run in the competition off the bench, having replaced Ivan van Zyl.

Loose forward Wihan Vosloo is fit again and will play off the bench. Vosloo made his Blue Bulls debut in Cape Town three weeks ago, but was injured early in the game and will be keen to add his effort when called upon.

Bulls: 15 Divan Rossouw, 14 Cornal Hendricks, 13 Johnny Kotze, 12 Dylan Sage, 11 Rosko Specman, 10 Marnitz Boshoff, 9 Embrose Papier, 8 Tim Agaba, 7 Marco van Staden, 6 Ruan Steenkamp (captain), 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Andries Ferreira, 3 Wiehahn Herbst, 2 Jaco Visagie, 1 Simphiwe Matanzima.

Replacements: 16 Johan Grobbelaar, 17 Dayan van der Westhuizen, 18 Conraad van Vuuren, 19 Adri Smit, 20 Wihan Vosloo, 21 Andre Warner, 22 Manie Libbok, 23 Jade Stighling.

Date: Friday, July 26

Venue: Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit

Kick-off: 19.15 (18.15 GMT)

Referee: Egon Seconds

Assistant referees: Eduan Nel, Johre Botha

TMO: Johan Greeff

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