The Bulls have named their side to face the Griffons in Welkom in Currie Cup Premier Division action.
Jan-Hendrik Wessels and Stravino Jacobs have both been handed starts whilst new recruit, Nama Xaba is set to make his franchise debut in round 2 of the 2024 Carling Currie Cup in Welkom.
Bulls tweak team after opening win
Head coach Phiwe Nomlomo has made minor adjustments to his side with one injury-enforced and other positional changes ahead of the NovaVit Griffons clash on Sunday 14 July. Nomlomo has called up Wessels, Xaba, Jacobs and Jacques ‘Policieman’ van Rooyen into the matchday 23. These changes see Celimpilo Gumede in the starting XV with skipper, Nizaam Carr changing positions.
Wessels starts at prop alongside Joe van Zyl (hooker) and Francois Klopper who all form the front row. Behind the trio will be new lock pairing of Sintu Manjezi and Cobus Wiese who was named Player of the Match in round 1. Carr shifts to flank alongside Jannes Kirsten and Gumede slots in at eight.
Nomlomo says Wessels is a versatile asset to the team with the ability to start at prop and finish at hooker.
“Jan-Hendrik returns from the Boks to start at loosehead this weekend, he is a very versatile player who can play in both positions. We have been wanting to see him run for us and later in the game he can shift, so just because he starts at prop doesn’t mean he can’t switch to hooker later in the game,”
“I hope that he has a good game and is in the running for the next test.”
At the back, Stravino Jacobs is the only change ahead of round two, coming in place of Boeta Chamberlain who is on family leave. Jacobs starts at left wing which sees Devon Williams shifting to fullback whilst Sergeal Petersen is retained on the right side of the park with Chris Barend Smit and Aphiwe Dyantyi partnering up at centre.
“It is good to see Stravino getting a run at wing with Boeta [Chamberlain] getting married this weekend. We wish him and his wife well for the future! We also get to see Jacque forming part of the impact squad and he covers both 1 and 3.”
5-3 split on the bench
Nomlomo has opted for a five-three split impact squad which will feature Xaba, van Rooyen, Dylan Smith, Khutha Mchunu, Merwe Olivier, Zak Burger, Chris Smith and Cornal Hendricks.
“We will not take them [Griffons] lightly, at home, we know exactly what we have to do and they will be confident too considering how the fixture turned out for them last season. They will be tough and if anything, they are the ones who will be feeling overly confident even though they didn’t go well last week,”
“We are quite chuffed to see Nama go this weekend. I am not sure a lot of people know his leadership qualities off the field, he doesn’t just bring skills on the floor but it is also what he does in the changeroom. He will be good for our environment” Phiwe concludes.
Bulls team
VODACOM BULLS vs NOVAVIT GRIFFONS STARTING XV: 1. Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 2. Joe van Zyl, 3. Francois Klopper, 4. Cobus Wiese, 5. Sintu Manjezi, 6. Nizaam Carr (c), 7. Jannes Kirsten, 8. Celimpilo Gumede, 9. Bernard van der Linde, 10. Jaco van der Walt, 11. Stravino Jacobs, 12. Chris Barend Smit, 13. Aphiwe Dyantyi, 14. Sergeal Petersen, 15. Devon Williams
VODACOM BULLS IMPACT SQUAD: 16. Jacques van Rooyen, 17. Dylan Smith, 18. Khutha Mchunu, 19. Merwe Olivier, 20. Nama Xaba, 21. Zak Burger, 22. Chris Smith, 23. Cornal Hendricks.
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