The Vodacom Bulls have made three changes to their starting fifteen for this weekend’s derby against the Lions – a game that Frans Ludeke’s men have to win in order to stay in Super Rugby play-off contention.
Given the importance of the fixture, it’s perhaps a little surprising that this is the week that’s been chosen to rest Victor Matfield. Grant Hattingh shifts from number 8 to lock in place of Matfield, with Jacques Engelbrecht moving into the starting loose trio after a few weeks on the bench.
Marcel van der Merwe rotates into the starting lineup, at tight head prop ahead of Werner Kruger.
Three further changes on the bench see Wimpie van der Walt, William Small-Smith and Louis Fouche come into the squad, the latter as replacement for Junior Bok captain Handre Pollard, who is currently in New Zealand.
Vodacom Bulls: 15 Jurgen Visser, 14 Akona Ndungane, 13 JJ Engelbrecht, 12 Jan Serfontein, 11 Bjorn Basson, 10 Jacques-Louis Potgieter, 9 Francois Hougaard, 8 Jacques Engelbrecht, 7 Jacques du Plessis, 6 Jono Ross, 5 Grant Hattingh, 4 Flip van der Merwe (captain), 3 Marcel van der Merwe, 2 Callie Visagie, 1 Dean Greyling.
Replacements: 16 Bongi Mbonambi, 17 Werner Kruger, 18 Morné Mellett, 19 Paul Willemse, 20 Wimpie van der Walt, 21 Piet van Zyl, 22 Louis Fouché, 23 William Small-Smith.
Tweet
Bulls better hope JLP does not get injured. I still can’t figure out how Ludeke preferred Fouche over Pollard at the start of the season.
What’s the bet he was told to rest Matfield so that we don’t lose another Bok captain.
I cant see the Lions beating this Bulls side. Matfield will definitely be on the field with his water bottles at every possible stoppage
@SheldonK (Comment 3) : I expect 5 points in the bag for the Bulls
@Bokhoring (Comment 4) : Yeh i think i tend to agree with you. Lions have been poor lately especially on defense and their handling.
@Bokhoring (Comment 4) : @SheldonK (Comment 5) : Yup…Bulls to challenge strongly for a playoff spot…
@Bokhoring (Comment 1) : Fouche was the encumbent flyhalf after Steyn for a while now. I think he felt it was only fair to give him a shot – especially after the flyhalf disaster of the currie cup last year. Thankfully someone had the sense to contract JLP.
@Seth101 (Comment 2) : I heard an interview last night where Ludeke explained that part of the deal with Meyer to get Matfield back was to consistently rest him, and now was good opportunity to do so.
Off the subject a bit, I see Goosen is off to Racing Metro end of this season.
@Caratacus (Comment 8) : there’s some doubt as to whether that’s actually confirmed or not. His agent says it’s not finalised yet.
It will happen, IMO, but just want to make sure I don’t jump the gun (even if everyone else does) 🙂
@robdylan (Comment 9) : Your lack of faith has clearly driven off THE NEXT BIG THING®
Thanks a lot Rob! 😈
@vanmartin (Comment 10) : tch. When will I EVER LEARN? 🙂
@Caratacus (Comment 8) : @robdylan (Comment 9) : that will be a big loss for the Cheetahs if he goes.