Bulls name Cheetahs import to start against Lions
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Bulls have made just one change to their team for the Trans-Jukskei derby with the Lions.
The two teams meet in a Super Rugby Unlocked Round Five encounter at Ellis Park on Saturday.
Walt Steenkamp has been named at lock and will make his debut for the Bulls when they travel to Johannesburg.
The 25-year-old Steenkamp - who signed with the Pretoria franchise from the Cheetahs during the COVID-19-enforced lockdown period - slots in at No.5.
He fills the spot vacated by Junior Springbok Ruan Nortje, who is being rested due to a minor injury niggle.
Steenkamp staked his claim in training and now gets his opportunity to impress coach Jake White.
The line-out has proven an effective attacking platform for the men in blue, with the Pretoria-based franchise boasting a 95 percent success.
The Bulls have lost only one line-out on their own throw-in four matches.
The rest of the matchday team remains unchanged, as the look at consistency - with two matches left before the conclusion of the Unlocked season.
Bulls: 15 David Kriel, 14 Travis Ismaiel, 13 Stedman Gans, 12 Cornal Hendricks, 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 10 Morné Steyn, 9 Ivan van Zyl, 8 Duane Vermeulen (captain), 7 Elrigh Louw, 6 Marco van Staden, 5 Walt Steenkamp, 4 Jason Jenkins, 3 Trevor Nyakane, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 1 Jacques van Rooyen.
Replacements: 16 Joe van Zyl, 17 Gerhard Steenekamp, 18 Marcel van der Merwe, 19 Sintu Manjezi, 20 Nizaam Carr, 21 Embrose Papier, 22 Chris Smith, 23 Marco Jansen van Vuren.
Date: Saturday, November 7
Venue: Ellis Park, Johannesburg
Kick-off: 19.00 (17.00 GMT)
Referee: Rasta Rasivhenge
Assistant referee: Cwengile Jadezweni, Egon Seconds
TMO: Marius van der Westhuizen