Both Frans Ludeke and Naka Drotske have picked their strongest available lineups for this weekend’s friendly between the Bulls and the Cheetahs in Polokwane.
Springbok team-mates Pierre Spies and Adriaan Strauss will lead their respective sides in this last dress rehearsal ahead of Super Rugby proper; and both lineups show a significant number of changes to the teams that recently took on the Lions and Stormers. Last weekend, it seems, was about assessing depth. This time around, it’s about getting the first-choice combinations battle hardened ahead of the season opener.
Only fullback Jurgen Visser survives form the Bulls starting lineup that won in Orlando, with Francois Venter a surprising pick at inside centre ahead of the more-experienced Wynand Olivier. The rest of the side is about as expected, with Morne Mellett set to face a baptism of fire as the first-choice loosehead prop whilst Dean Greyling is out injured,
The Cheetahs are still without Johan Goosen, but apart from the inclusion of Elgar Watts at pivot in his place, line up much as they’re expected to against the Sharks in week 1. Juan Smith is again included on the bench, after being out of the game for almost two years.
Bulls:
15 Jürgen Visser, 14 Akona Ndungane, 13 JJ Engelbrecht, 12 Francois Venter, 11 Bjorn Basson, 10 Mornè Steyn, 9 Francois Hougaard, 8 Pierre Spies (captain), 7 Jacques Potgieter, 6 Dewald Potgieter, 5 Juandrè Kruger, 4 Flip van der Merwe, 3 Werner Kruger, 2 Chiliboy Ralepelle, 1 Mornè Mellett
Substitutes: 16 Callie Visagie, 17 Frik Kirsten, 18 Grant Hattingh, 19 Arno Botha, 20 Jano Vermaak, 21 Ulrich Beyers, 22 Lionel Mapoe, 23 Wynand Olivier
Cheetahs:
15 Willie le Roux, 14 Rayno Benjamin, 13 Johann Sadie, 12 Robert Ebersohn, 11 Raymond Rhule, 10 Elgar Watts, 9 Piet van Zyl, 8 Phillip van der Walt, 7 Lappies Labuschagne, 6 Frans Viljoen, 5 Francois Uys, 4 Lood de Jager, 3 Lourens Adriaanse, 2 Adriaan Strauss (captain) 1 Trevor Nyakane
Substitutes: 16 Ryno Barnes, 17 Rossouw de Klerk, 18 Ligtoring Landman, 19 Juan Smith, 20 Sarel Pretorius, 21 Francois Brummer, 22 Hennie Daniller, 23 Hansie Graaff
Tweet
I’m surprised Marnus Schoeman isn’t in the side. They need a fetcher and he is good! Would be great to see him show the Bulls what they let go!
wait – what have I missed…. where’s Brussow?
I see an Adi Jacobs at 13 for boland playing against the stormers this weekend…. Is the our Adi Jacobs ????
I see that Elgar Watts is making the rounds through the various unions!
@robdylan (Comment 2) : Kept in cottonwool or injured…again
@robdylan (Comment 2) : @Ice (Comment 5) :
Brussow struggling with a shoulder injury.
@Pokkel (Comment 6) : Effit! I KNEW it!
The Bulls are a strange bunch ,they persist with players who have a limited skill set in positions that require a vast array of skills.
I’m not sure they can plan past the first phase of attack which leads me to think they cannot organize defense or comprehend multifaceted attack .
Im glad Jurgen Fisser is getting a chance because he isn’t a poor player and has a bit of a step on him.
That Cheetahs backline is potent ,add to it Johan Goosen and you will see some sublime play. I also like the addition of Frans Viljoen ,he is a hard guy and very underrated -that’s an unseen and underrated but formidable Cheetahs loose trio.
@Ice (Comment 7) : Lol, think he is almost ready. Word is he will be ready to play after the overseas leg.
They could catch the Bulls sleeping
@KingCheetah (Comment 9) : Man – between him, Goosentjie and Smith – its not a pretty sight where injuries are concerned!
@Ice (Comment 11) : Agreed, but to be fair, Juan had a relatively injury free run, racking up 69 tests, and heavens knows how many matches for the Cheetahs.
That said with Juan and Frans Viljoen available, at least there is a bit of grunt in the pack.
@Talent (Comment 8) : I think the big issue at the Bulls is more a reluctance to let the young guns have a run. Why anybody would persist with JJ Engelbrecht as a centre, when you have the class of Dries Swanepoel and Jan Serfontein is beyond me. Add Pollard to ignite them, and they could have a potent backline too.
@juba_fan (Comment 3) : Adri Jacobs is a former Bulls u21 centre, 23 this year, was with the Baby Boks in 2010, average at best, nothing too great
The way my 2013 started I give the $%#@@ Bulls a good chance this year in super rugby. 🙄
Ludz I know about Adri but the article said Adi, not sure if its a typo
@juba_fan (Comment 16) : not too sure myself now, read on R365 that it’s indeed former Sharks and Bok centre. Don’t know if am wrong or they’re wrong
@Ludz (Comment 17) : they are wrong. It’s not him
@robdylan (Comment 18) : I thought so too, at the end of last year I remember reading Adri had left Pretoria for Boland so it has to be him
And this was Juan Smith’s last game. He’s just announced his retirement because his Achilles played up again.