Jake White has called up an untested but versatile rookie for the Bulls Champions Cup quarter-final against Northampton Saints.
Merwe Olivier is on the bench for the Bulls against the Saints this weekend.
“The reason I put him there is because he covers lock and flank. Northampton have a really big pack of forwards and if you consider him and Ludwig on the bench, both covering lock and flank gives us really good options,” White said.
“They have a really good line out and they would offer me a lot size-wise and also options-wise wise and that is why I went with the both of them (Olivier and Ludwig) on the bench because they can both go into the loose forward position. He (Olivier) has played SA under-20s as has JF, so it is not like we are undermining anything.
“We looked at the team we are playing against, and the conditions and as I have said, I hope that he will take the next step up like all the other juniors like JF, Canan, Jan-Hendrick Wessels and Hanekom. It is something we pride ourselves on how the young players have come through” White added.
The Bulls playing to win
When asked about his expectations of the match, the Vodacom Bulls mentor said: “I would like to win. In every competition I have ever played in, I play to win,” he added.
“The players have a wonderful opportunity in a great game, a quarterfinal of the Investec Champions Cup and it is a wonderful opportunity for them to make memories and to use this opportunity,” White continued
“This is a wonderful competition, one we wish to win” White concluded.
Nizaam Carr to lead the Bulls
White’s herd will be led by Nizaam Carr as they make their debut appearance at this stage of club rugby’s coveted knockout competition, only in their second season of participating in the tournament.
Carr lines up at blindside flank alongside Mpilo Gumede at open side whilst Cameron Hanekom straps his boots at eight. In front of the back trio is the lock duo of Janko Swanepoel and JF van Heerden with Simphiwe Matanzima (loose-head prop), Akker van der Merwe (hooker) and Mornay Smith (tight-head prop) making up the front row.
Behind the forwards is the half-back duo of Zak Burger and Chris Smith who will be directing traffic with the support of a backline featuring Stravino Jacobs at left wing and Sebastien de Klerk blitzing on the right-hand side of the park. In between the wingers will be Harold Vorster (inside) and Henry Immelman (outside) who command the troops at centre with Devon Williams providing versatile cover from fullback.
Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Dylan Smith, Francois Klopper, Merwe Olivier, Reinhardt Ludwig, Keagan Johannes, Jaco van der Walt and Cornal Hendricks will form part of the five-three split impact squad.
Director of Rugby, Jake White says his squad selection this weekend is balanced between rotation, management of players, and avoiding long-term injuries based on medical advice as well as experience.
“This is the best team we have available and I am confident in them. I am looking forward to seeing how they do together. I think they are quite an exciting team for the fixture”
Proven winners
White adds: “Six of the guys on this current tour have played in Super Rugby finals and about eight guys have beaten Leinster in Leinster. Cameron Hanekom and Stravino Jacobs return from injury and they were the number one starters in their positions before injury,”
“There is also rotation to contend with, which I have said is very important in our group. More importantly, I have medical advice that some guys have bumps and bruises after the last travel (to Leinster) and the last massive game against Lyon, it would have been a massive risk for me to bring them overseas because of the injuries and contusions they have would have probably meant they would not be ready on Saturday, leaving us with a big group of players who would not be able to start on the weekend.”
TEAM
VODACOM BULLS vs NORTHAMPTON SAINTS STARTING XV: 1. Simphiwe Matanzima, 2. Akker van der Merwe, 3. Mornay Smith, 4. Janko Swanepoel, 5. JF van Heerden, 6. Nizaam Carr (c), 7. Celimpilo ‘Mpilo’ Gumede, 8. Cameron Hanekom, 9. Zak Burger, 10. Chris Smith, 11. Stravino Jacobs, 12. Harold Vorster, 13. Henry Immelman, 14. Sebastien de Klerk, 15. Devon Williams
VODACOM BULLS IMPACT SQUAD: 16. Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 17. Dylan Smith, 18. Francois Klopper, 19. Merwe Olivier, 20. Reinhardt Ludwig, 21. Keagan Johannes, 22. Jaco van der Walt, 23. Cornal Hendricks
