Head coach Phiwe Nomlomo has recalled veteran Nizaam Carr to lead a reshuffled Vodacom Bulls outfit against the Pumas in Nelspruit on Friday.
Carr and fellow seasoned campaigner Devon Williams return to the starting XV after a week’s break for the trip to Mpumalanga as the undefeated Herd continue their charge towards the 2024 Currie Cup playoffs.
There is also returns for centre Chris Barend Smit, who will pair up with Cornel Smit in his first Currie Cup appearance for the Bulls.
Junior Springbok vice-captain and Blitzbok Katlego Letebele is poised for his senior debut off the bench.
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Elsewhere, Dylan Smith will be alongside Joe van Zyl and Mornay Smith in the front row with Jannes Kirsten and Sintu Manjezi behind them at lock. Man of the match in round 6 of this year’s edition of rugby’s oldest competition, Nama Xaba will be alongside Merwe Olivier at flank with Carr at 8.
Keagan Johannes gets a start at scrumhalf, alongside flyhalf Boeta Chamberlain.
Sibongile Novuka will get another run at left wing with Springbok ace Canan Moodie shifting to the right. Williams completes the back three at fullback.
Juan Else, Jacques van Rooyen, Khuth Mchunu, Cyle Brink, Mpilo Gumede, Bernard van der Linde, Jaco van der Walt and Letebele form part of a 5-3 replacements split in Nelspruit.
Bulls – 15 Devon Williams, 14 Canan Moodie, 13 Cornel Smit, 12 Chris Barend Smit, 11 Sibongile Novuka, 10 Boeta Chamberlain, 9 Keagan Johannes, 8 Nizaam Carr (c), 7 Merwe Olivier, 6 Nama Xaba, 5 Jannes Kirsten, 4 Sintu Manjezi, 3 Mornay Smith, 2 Joe van Zyl, 1 Dylan Smith.
Subs: 16 Juan Else, 17 Jacques van Rooyen, 18 Khutha Mchunu, 19 Cyle Brink, 20 Mpilo Gumede, 21 Bernard van der Linde, 22 Jaco van der Walt, 23 Katlego Letebele.
Photo: Johan Pretorius/Gallo Images
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Src: sarugbymag.co.za
