PRETORIA – The Bulls have made three changes and one positional switch to their team to face the Brumbies at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.
Regular captain Burger Odendaal returns to the starting line-up after missing last weekend’s game against the Jaguares because of a rib injury with Springbok flyhalf Handre Pollard moving back to his more comfortable position of number 10 after playing at inside centre.
Pollard replaces Manie Libbok who drops to the bench with two changes in the pack as Nic de Jager replaces Thembelani Bholi at number seven and Jaco Visagie gets a rare start at hooker in place of former Springbok captain Adriaan Strauss.
Even after last weekend’s loss against the Jaguares, Bulls coach John Mitchell is still confident that his side is still well in the race to make the Super Rugby play-offs.
“I think we’ve made good growth but let ourselves down as well. This competition is going to go down to the wire, we’ve got to keep on fighting,” said Mitchell.
Mitchell believes that the Brumbies will be a tough team to crack considering the way they play and says he is not deceived by their three wins in 11 games.
“The Brumbies have also been unlucky this year and they play a game that tests you across the park. Like us they are a team that is still growing,” Mitchell said.
The Bulls team is:
Warrick Gelant, Travis Ismaiel, Jesse Kriel, Burger Odendaal, Johnny Kotze, Handre Pollard, Ivan van Zyl, Marco van Staden, Nic de Jager, Roelof Smit, RG Snyman, Jason Jenkins, Conraad van Vuuren, Jaco Visagie, Trevor Nyakane.
Replacements: Adriaan Strauss, Mox Mxoli, Mattys Basson, Ruben van Heerden, Thembelani Bholi, Andre Warner, Manie Libbok, Divan Rossouw.