Vodacom Bulls head coach Phiwe Nomlomo has announced a re-jigged lineup for the Currie Cup front-runners to face Griquas in Pretoria on Friday.

Unbeaten with three games left of the regular season, the Bulls host Griquas at Loftus Versfeld in round 8 of this year’s edition of rugby’s oldest competition.

There are seven changes and one positional switch to the starting XV that thumped the Pumas in Nelspruit last week.

Henry Immelman and Stravino Jacobs will line up at right and left wing, respectively, while flyhalf Jaco van der Walt trades places on the bench with Boeta Chamberlain in a new halfback pairing with Keagan Johannes.

In the pack, skipper Nizaam Carr shifts from the back of the scrum to openside flanker, and starts in an exciting loose trio with in-form No 8 Mpilo Gumede and Mihlali Mosi.

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Up front, Tielman Nieuwoudt slots in at loosehead prop while blindside loose forward Cyle Brink forms a powerful second row with Jannes Kirsten.

“We’ve continued on the journey of being a team that is able to play with anyone on the park,” Nomlomo said.

“There’s a few things with Griquas that we’ve seen and it’s a massive point of entry with these selections.

“For instance, we might see Keagan run at 10 this weekend, and he’ll have to cover the kicking duties as well. That’s a good place to be at.

“We literally wanted to play with five loosies in the back five and we’re able to do that this weekend, especially looking at the backend of the competition. I tell you one thing – [Brink] is helluva excited about his move!

“So we’re mixing and matching with the combinations and looking forward to this one.”

Bulls – 15 Devon Williams, 14 Henry Immelman, 13 Cornel Smit, 12 Chris Barend Smit, 11 Stravino Jacobs, 10 Jaco van der Walt, 9 Keagan Johannes, 8 Mpilo Gumede, 7 Mihlali Mosi, 6 Nizaam Carr (c), 5 Jannes Kirsten, 4 Cyle Brink, 3 Mornay Smith, 2 Joe van Zyl, 1 Tielman Nieuwoudt.
Subs: 16 Juan Else, 17 Dylan Smith, 18 Khutha Mchunu, 19 Sintu Manjezi, 20 Merwe Olivier, 21 Bernard van der Linde, 22 Boeta Chamberlain, 23 Katlego Letebele.

Photo: Johan Pretorius/Gallo Images

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