Pierre Spies is back to captain the Bulls in their Super Rugby opener, against the Stormers at Loftus on Friday night.
Lions import Lionel Mapoe starts at right wing, with JJ Engelbrecht preferred at outside centre. The loss of Dean Greyling and Jacques Potgieter have opened the door for Morne Mellet and Dewald Potgieter to start at loose head prop and blindside flank respectively, with the former earning his first cap in Super Rugby.
Another Lions import, Grant Hattingh, takes the injured Wilhelm Steenkamp’s place on the bench and will earn a first Bulls cap should he be brought on.
Bulls: 15 Zane Kirchner , 14 Lionel Mapoe , 13 JJ Engelbrecht ,12 Wynand Olivier, 11 Bjorn Basson , 10 Mornè Steyn , 9 Francois Hougaard , 8 Pierre Spies(capt), 7 Dewald Potgieter , 6 Deon Stegmann, 5 Juandrè Kruger, 4 Flip van der Merwe , 3 Werner Kruger, 2 Chiliboy Ralepelle, 1 Mornè Mellett. Replacements: 16 Willie Wepener , 17 Frik Kirsten, 18 Grant Hattingh , 19 Arno Botha, 20 Jano Vermaak , 21 Louis Fouchè , 22 Francois Venter
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It’s clear that the Bulls will continue to ‘skop & jaag’ with the team they have selected.
I’m torn here. I want the bulls to lose at home just as badly as I want the Stormers to lose away.
still a solid looking team better than the stormers i feel
@Poisy (Comment 3) :
I don’t think so.
Man for man I think the Stormers are better.
@robdylan (Comment 2) :
How about 3 all? 😀
Any one else heard of the rumor that the kings were spying on the forces practice session. Apparently the spotted a guy in the bushes with a tripod and camera equipment. Lol
Why put Mapoe on wing and Engelbrecht at inside centre? Have they stolen the Sharks selection policy handbook? 😯
@Pokkel (Comment 5) : ja ok… and a hard game so the Stormers are stuffed for next week
@robdylan (Comment 2) : It’s Kind of like an Eng vs Oz test.
You want the Ozzies (in this case the Bulls) to lose, but you know that the English (in this case the Streamers) supporters and media we be so irritatingly boastful if they win.
I think Pokkel has it spot on: 3 all draw.