Jake: Vocal Willie knows how we want to play

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Vodacom Bulls coach Jake White says it will be good to have Willie le Roux’s voice closer to the action when he starts at flyhalf against the Stormers on Saturday.

The veteran Springbok fullback replaced No 10 Boeta Chamberlain in the 50th minute of their Vodacom URC match against the Lions at Ellis Park two weeks ago. The Bulls were trailing 14-13 at the time, but the 35-year-old helped them take charge and claim a 35-22 bonus-point win.

White has backed Le Roux to make a similar impact in Cape Town.

“Willie’s got 98 Tests. I know he’s played lots of Tests at fullback but let’s not forget he was a flyhalf for Boland [early in his career],” White said on Friday at the team announcement.

“He’s been going to 10 anyway and in fact, most of his good games at 15 are when he pushes the 10 out of the way and plays 10 for most of the fixture.

“So I’m very comfortable that he will understand what we want to do. He’s got a very good feeling for the way we want to play tomorrow.

“And I can always go back to Boeta [who is on the bench], coming on at 10, and moving Willie back to fullback in the back end of the game if I feel that’s what’s needed.”

White said the Bulls would also benefit from having Le Roux closer to the action in the absence of injured Bok forwards Ruan Nortje and Elrigh Louw.

“To have him in the middle of the team, between the forwards and backs, as opposed to fullback, will be good for us tomorrow, because he’s very vocal, very good at delegating and very good at coaching from behind.”

TEAM: Bulls back Willie at 10 for Cape Town clash

Another notable selection is that of Jan-Hendrick Wessels at loosehead prop. White said scrumming against Springbok tighthead prop Frans Malherbe would be a “massive” test for the 23-year-old.

“That selection may raise eyebrows, but he’s played a Test match against Australia with Grobbies [Johan Grobbelaar] at hooker, they’ve actually played two Test matches together. So I’m fully confident [in him].

“He’s grown as a player and he’s too good a player – I’ve said this many times – to leave in the stands. The two hookers [Grobbelaar and Akker van der Merwe] are playing really well and he has played a lot at prop anyway.

“So it’s a massive, massive challenge for him, and it’s a massive opportunity for him as well. “

ALSO: Bulls not banking on getting Arendse back

Photo: Steve Haag/Gallo Images

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