Junior Springbok set for Bulls return in Currie Cup clash with WP

07/26/2024 08:09 AM

Junior Springbok JF van Heerden headlines six changes made by head coach Phiwe Nomlomo to his Vodacom Bulls side that hosts the DHL Western Province in round 4 of the 2024 Carling Currie Cup at Loftus Versfeld.

Junior Springbok set for Bulls return in Currie Cup

Van Heerden returns from national duty at the recently concluded under-20 Championships and starts at lock alongside Cobus Wiese. Skipper Nizaam Carr pairs up with Merwe Olivier for a second consecutive game with Celimpilo Gumede reinforcing the loose trio at No 8.

Dylan Smith, Joe van Zyl and Khuthazani Mchunu will lead the tight five from the front row.

Zak Burger slots into scrumhalf with Jaco van der Walt marshalling the troops with the boot at flyhalf.

Behind the halfback duo will be Stravino Jacobs at left-wing alongside Sergeal Petersen on the right-hand side of the park and Boeta Chamberlain returning to the matchday 23 at fullback. Chris Barend Smit and Aphiwe Dyantyi are between the back three at centre.

Six-two split in place

Head coach, Phiwe Nomlomo has opted for a six-two split impact squad which sees Juann Else, Jacques van Rooyen, Francois Klopper, Jannes Kirsten, Sintu Manjezi, Nama Xaba, Keagan Johannes and Lionel Mapoe all on standby to offer fresh legs as and when needed.

Nomlomo says he expects another 'proper derby' despite changes made to his side and looks forward to seeing some of the rotated players run out.

"We have decided to stick with the six-two split because there is a couple of things we have seen that we want to work on and maybe a point of entry for us. We have asked our forwards to go deep for us tomorrow. We have a really good scrum at the moment and equally, our maul has been unbelievable so that is what we want to carry on and stamp our mark in the game."

Speaking about the opposition, Nomlomo adds: "They know what we have and maybe they would be surprised by the changes we have made but nothing more than that, so I expect a proper derby, we all know how it has been in the past and I do not expect anything different this time around."

He adds: "Some of our changes are injury-enforced and others are rotational, this is where we find ourselves; where some guys are starting to pick up niggles and some picking up serious injuries along the way as well, which is not ideal,"

"Equally, we are happy to give guys opportunities. JF returns from the SA under-20s so we are looking forward to seeing him on the park" he concludes.

Bulls matchday squad for Currie Cup match vs Western Province

VODACOM BULLS vs DHL WESTERN PROVINCE STARTING XV: 1. Dylan Smith, 2. Joe van Zyl, 3. Khuthazani 'Khutha' Mchunu, 4. Cobus Wiese, 5. JF van Heerden, 6. Nizaam Carr (c), 7. Merwe Olivier, 8. Celimpilo Gumede, 9. Zak Burger, 10. Jaco van der Walt, 11. Stravino Jacobs, 12. Chris Barend Smit, 13. Aphiwe Dyantyi, 14. Sergeal Petersen, 15. Boeta Chamberlain

Reserves: 16. Juann Else, 17. Jacques van Rooyen, 18. Francois Klopper, 19. Jannes Kirsten, 20. Sintu Manjezi, 21. Keagan Johannes, 22. Lionel Mapoe, 23. Nama Xaba

Can the Bulls overcome WP?

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