Cornal Hendricks will make his first competitive start for the Vodacom Bulls in their clash against the Jaguares in Buenos Aires on Saturday.
The 30-year-old wing, who played for the Cheetahs in 2014 and 2015, makes his first Vodacom Super Rugby appearance since being diagnosed with a heart condition shortly after joining the Stormers in 2016.
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Hendricks replaces Johnny Kotze, who has been ruled out of the match due to illness, in the only change to the team that thrashed the Stormers 40-3 last weekend.
Meanwhile, Schalk Brits has been passed fit after coming off the field against the Stormers with a calf issue.
‘With Johnny unfortunately ruled out due to illness, I had little hesitation in bringing Cornal into the team,’ coach Pote Human said.
‘He is a class act and has done very well in the matches he has played for us during the warm-up stage of the season. Travelling to Argentina will not be the easiest trip, but someone like Cornal had to overcome much worse than time zones and rowdy venues. His return to the game continues to inspire and we will feed off the positive energy coming from him for sure.’
Human added André Warner and Johan Grobbelaar to the travelling squad to provide cover at scrumhalf and hooker respectively.
‘We had a good start, no doubt. Luckily everyone realises that we need to start all over again this week. The Jaguares will not be happy after losing at home last weekend and will be determined to get their first win. We need to be accurate and focused. If we are, we will be able to put pressure on them.’
Bulls – 15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Cornal Hendricks, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Burger Odendal, 11 Rosko Specman, 10 Handré Pollard, 9 Embrose Papier, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Hanro Liebenberg, 6 Ruan Steenkamp, 5 Lood de Jager (c), 4 Jason Jenkins, 3 Trevor Nyakane, 2 Schalk Brits, 1 Lizo Gqoboka.
Subs: 16 Corniel Els, 17 Simpiwe Matanzima, 18 Dayan van der Westhuizen, 19 Eli Snyman, 20 Thembelani Bholi, 21 Ivan van Zyl, 22 Manie Libbok, 23 Dylan Sage.
Photo: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images
