PRETORIA – Bulls head coach John Mitchell has made three changes to his starting line-up including three positional changes ahead of their Super Rugby clash against the Queensland Reds in Brisbane.
Springbok Warrick Gelant makes his first start of the season at fullback in place of Divan Rossouw who drops to the bench while Duncan Matthews also makes his first start at wing.
Springbok flyhalf Handre Pollard makes a positional switch from inside centre back to pivot with Johnny Kotze moving from the wing to occupy the number 12 jersey while regular captain Birger Odendaal remains on the sidelines with a rib injury.
Bulls vice-captain Nic de Jager has also been elevated to the starting line-up after coming off the bench in last week’s loss against the Lions with Hanro Liebenberg moving from number 8 to blindside flank in place of Thembelani Bholi.
Springbok prop Trevor Nyakane has been included on the bench and is likely to make his first for the season along with Jason Jenkins who has recovered from a shoulder injury.
“Trevor is in his fifth week of preparation and I’m very satisfied with growth and his metrics. He is on same page skills wise as the rest of the team and we are building him and Jason to be available as 80 minute rugby players by end of the tour,” said Mitchell.
The Bulls team:
Warrick Gelant, Travis Ismaiel, Jesse Kriel, Johnny Kotze, Duncan Matthews, Handre Pollard, Andre Warner, Nic de Jager, Hanro Liebenberg, Roelof Smit, Lood de Jager, RG Snyman, Frans van Wyk, Jaco Visagie, Pierre Schoeman.
Replacements:
Adriaan Strauss, Lizo Gqoboka, Trevor Nyakane, Jason Jenkins, Marco van Staden, Embrose Papier, Marnitz Boshoff, Divan Rossouw.
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