We reported earlier this morning that Bulls coach Pine Pienaar was in two minds about making changed to his team to face the Sharks, and he has decided to stick to the same team that beat the Lions so comprehensively last weekend.
That means that Francois Hougaard and Chiliboy Ralapelle will be on the bench once again and should come on in the second half to combat the strong Sharks replacement bench. The Sharks bench will be a strong point whether coach John Plumtree selects his Boks in the starting line-up, or whether the Boks go onto the bench.
Morne Steyn continues to rebuild the form that we saw from him in 2009 when he almost single handedly beat the British and Irish Lions, and will face off with Pat Lambie in what is sure to be an interesting head to head.
The Bulls have gone for a full front row on the bench, so the Sharks might be forced into a similar bench split.
Blue Bulls: 15 Zane Kirchner, 14 Akona Ndungane, 13 JJ Engelbrecht, 12 Francois Venter, 11 Bjorn Basson, 10 Mornè Steyn, 9 Jano Vermaak, 8 Arno Botha, 7 Jacques Potgieter, 6 Dewald Potgieter (captain), 5 Juandrè Kruger, 4 Flip van der Merwe, 3 Werner Kruger, 2 Willie Wepener, 1 Mornè Mellett
Substitutes: 16 Chiliboy Ralepelle, 17 Frik Kirsten, 18 Wilhelm Steenkamp, 19 CJ Stander, 20 Francois Hougaard, 21 Louis Fouchè, 22 Dean Greyling
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“Morne Steyn continues to rebuild the form that we saw from him in 2009 when he almost single handedly beat the British and Irish Lions” Really? He just came on a slotted a penalty at the end of the 2nd test to my recollection, Ruan Pienaar was the incumbent who played out of his skin – goalkicking aside – in the Dbn test?
It was a key penalty in the context of the series yes…
This is the team i think should play on Saturday Also taking into account one or 2 injury concerns and not being sure if those players will be ready to play or not I believe we need a big mobile fast and very strong heavy bench, I agree with Rob in that PLum will not select 2 props on the bench.
Some might say i am mad to want to put Odwa in place of Mvovo? but with the rain forcast and the form Odwa is in?? and Odwa is strong under the HIgh ball?? no brainer really.
Here is my team:
15 Ludick
14 JPP
13 Jordaan
12 Whitehead
11 Odwa/Mvovo
10 Lambie
09 Reinach
08 Daniel
07 Deysel
06 Coetzee
05 Bresler
04 Jandre
03 Jannie
02 Burden
01 Beast
16 Cooper
17 Herbst
18 Alberts
19 PSDT/Tera Mtembu
20 Mcleod
21 Bosman
22 Mvovo/Odwa/Viljoen
Unless PLum goes for a 5-2 split as is normally the case against the Bulls.
Bench would then be Cooper, Herbst, Sykes (I hear he might be ready after injury), Alberts, PSDT, Mcleod, Bosman
I know i have Odwa at 11 but thats purely because he would play in place of Mvovo, obviously if Odwa does play he and JPP would swop around.
Also if Sykes is still injured bring in Peet Marais, brother of Jandre, big strong mobile lock. but he is fast and defends very well
I really hope Odwa is fit. He is solid at the back and we will need that with the Bulls’ kicking game and all.
So a full front row consists of 2 players, a prop and a hooker?
@JarsonX (Comment 4) : Jarson you better read their team again. Dean Greyling at 22 is a prop.
@JarsonX (Comment 4) : No just the bulls like to hide Greyling amongst the backs
@sharks_lover (Comment 5) :
@HansDas (Comment 3) : welcome to the site
So judging by the make-up of this team, the Sharks should be able to deduct that their will be a lot of kicking from the Bulls.
Defensive lines against the Bulls: 3 guys hanging around their own 22 to either catch or defend against the up-and-under.
Well I hope that your team will look more like this….
1.Beast
2.Burden
3.Jannie
4.Jeandre
5.Brestler
6.Coetzee
7.Deysel
8.Daniel
9.Reynach
10.Lambie
11.Mvovo
12.MEYER BOSMAN
13.Jordaan
14JPP
15.Ludik
With the average centre pair the Bulls have I truely hope that Bossie is there because he is one of the better 12 Centres this year so far and can get alot of front foot position for the sharks he does not deserve to sit on the bench seeing that well mostly thanks to him the Sharks is were they are at the moment.Venter and JJ will both look like lost toll booth operators when he goes right thru the middle of them,and if Lambie has some problems with the goal kicking you have a backup. Go The Sharks beat those REDEFINE PROMOTION RELIGATION BULLS.
@Lassy_lion (Comment 10) : are you going to support the sharks from next year on in the S15?
@MJ (Comment 11) : Will have to see how you guys treat me.
I am sure I will I have been a LIONS supporter all my life but I like the playing style of the Sharks so I geuss I will support them in S15 for next year….
Well I sure as hell will not support the WP or Bulls or The Kings.
@Lassy_lion (Comment 12) :
looks like you’re priorities are good 
Fouche!!! This is the part I put my hands on my head
I’m getting excited
I will unfortunately miss the build up over the next few days but will hopefully make it back to civilisation in time on Saturday to watch the game 
@neilster (Comment 1) : in blue bull eyes Morné is still kingpin he does nothing wrong
Hougaard on the bench could cost the Bulls.
Man, I cannot wait for this game! So amped
@Dunx (Comment 16) : Yes, and you may well be able to tell, I’m definitely at the opposite end of that spectrum.
@Lassy_lion (Comment 10) : Can`t argue with the team you`ve got there.
Pity about Whitehead but you have to find a place for Bosman I agree.
Gonna be a wet game, Lambie and Bosman next to each other gives us great kicking options . . .
Also Lambie can fall back to 15 and Bosman can take his place at 10 to counter the 10 000 up and unders we`ll face.
Lets not overcomplicate matters.
Hit them hard up front, kick for territory, play in their half and apply the pressure. Points will come . . .
Sharks have been vulnerable to the maul from line outs – need to work on a counter for that.
Also think it may be a good idea to have Bosman at 12 – lots of kicking in this game
I see on SS.com that Pierretjie Spies’ contract with the Bulls expires next week, and he’s been offered 40 000 euro for 3 years by French club Bayonne