Goosen to steer Bulls in semi

09/13/2024 06:21 AM

Johan Goosen has been recalled as the Vodacom Bulls have welcomed a trio of returning backs for the Currie Cup semi-final against the Sharks in Pretoria on Saturday.

Head coach Phiwe Nomlomo made a handful of changes to the team that went down to the Sharks in Durban in the final round last week, as the Vodacom Bulls look to qualify for their first final since 2021.

Goosen will play his first game of the campaign, in a fresh halfback pair with the recalled Keagan Johannes, while the Bulls have also welcomed back Stravino Jacobs on the wing.

Meanwhile, Nizaam Carr has been promoted from the bench and will take over the captaincy from Marcell Coetzee, who starts at openside flank.

Boeta Chamberlain and Stedman Gans are also given starts after playing off the bench at Kings Park. Chamberlain will start at fullback, while Gans forms an experience midfield with David Kriel.

Nomlomo has opted for a six-two split between forwards and backs on the bench, with Bernard van der Linde called up as the replacement scrumhalf.

Bulls — 15 Boeta Chamberlain, 14 Henry Immelman, 13 Stedman Gans, 12 David Kriel, 11 Stravino Jacobs, 10 Johan Goosen, 9 Keagan Johannes, 8 Cameron Hanekom, 7 Nizaam Carr (c), 6 Marcell Coetzee, 5 Cobus Wiese, 4 Jannes Kirsten, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Akker van der Merwe, 1 Dylan Smith.
Subs: 16 Joe van Zyl, 17 Jacques van Rooyen, 18 Francois Klopper, 19 Sintu Manjezi, 20 Merwe Olivier, 21 Bernard van der Linde, 22 Katlego Letebele, 23 Celimpilo Gumede.

Photo: Gordon Arons/Gallo Images

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