Centre Lionel Mapoe has been included in the Bulls side that will be captained by Marcell Coetzee in their match against the Lions in Pretoria on Sunday.
New Bulls recruit, Mapoe, will make his first appearance since 2013 for the union when they take to the field at Loftus Versfeld and will combine with Harold Vorster in the midfield as Cornal Hendricks makes a shift to a familiar position at right wing.
Johan Goosen, who turned out for the first time in the blue strip last weekend in the match against the South African ‘A’ side, will make his official debut for the Bulls in the Currie Cup with a starting berth in the No 10 jersey.
Elrigh Louw returns to the side at No 8 alongside captain Marcell Coetzee and Muller Uys in the loose trio.
An inspiring addition to the bench of the Bulls is that of young Sibongile Novuka, a star for the UKZN Impi in the recent Varsity Shield competition.
White said: “We are looking forward to get back to action in the Currie Cup, especially against a quality outfit such as the Sigma Lions – a team that always pitches up to produce an enthralling Jukskei derby.”
He added: “Of course, to be able to select players like Lionel Mapoe and Johan Goosen, whom we have no doubt will add value top this team, is something we particularly look forward to. Further to that, we have youngsters like Sibongile Novuka, who caught our eye with his stellar performances in the Varsity Shield, to add their youthful exuberance. We can surely expect nothing less than a superb battle between two determined sides on Sunday.”
The match will kick-off at 3:15pm, and will be televised on SuperSport.
Bulls – 15 David Kriel, 14 Cornal Hendricks, 13 Lionel Mapoe, 12 Harold Vorster, 11 Richard Kriel, 10 Johan Goosen, 9 Zak Burger, 8 Elrigh Louw, 7 Muller Uys, 6 Marcell Coetzee (c), 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Walt Steenkamp, 3 Jacques van Rooyen, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 1 Simphiwe Matanzima.
Subs: 16 Schalk Erasmus, 17 Gerhard Steenekamp, 18 Mornay Smith, 19 Janko Swanepoel, 20 Nizaam Carr, 21 Keagan Johannes, 22 Chris Smith, 23 Sibongile Novuka, 24 Jan-Hendrik Wessel, 25 Ruan Delport, 26 Johan Mulder, 27 FC du Plessis.
Photo: Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
