Bulls mix youth and experience for Pumas challenge

The Vodacom Bulls have named a powerful team for their second Carling Currie Cup home match of the season, against the Airlink Pumas on Saturday (3pm).

Coach Phiwe Nomlomo has again opted for a blend of youth and experience with six Under-21 players in the matchday squad alongside experienced players like Jeandre Rudolph, Marvin Orie and Aphiwe Dyantyi.

There are also likely to be two debutants in the shape of former Grey College prop Casper Badenhorst and Selborne College old boy Daimon O’Connel, a scrumhalf.

Among the most significant changes is JJ Theron coming in for captain Nama Xaba, who has an injury niggle. Scrumhalf Zak Burger will take over the captaincy.

Jean Erasmus replaces Francois Kloppers at tighthead and Aphiwe Dyantyi shifts to left wing to accommodate Katlego Letebele on the right. Cornel Smit also gets his first start, in place of Stedman Gans.

The prolific halfback partnership of Burger and Jaco van der Walt has been retained, an indication of how well things have been working.

Vodacom Bulls starting XV: 15 Boeta Chamberlain, 14 Katlego Letebele, 13 Cornel Smit, 12 Chris Smit, 11 Aphiwe Dyantyi; 10 Jaco van der Walt, 9 Zak Burger (capt); 8 Jeandre Rudolph, 7 JJ Theron, 6 Junior Pokomela; 5 Marvin Orie, 4 Sintu Manjezi; 3 Jean Erasmus, 2 Juann Else, 1 Dylan Smith. Replacements: 16 Esethu Mnebelele, 17 Lizo Gqoboka, 18 Casper Badenhorst, 19 Jaco Grobbelaar, 20 Dylan de Leeuw, 21 Marco Ferreira, 22 Daimon O’Connel, 23 PA van Niekerk.

Airlink Pumas starting XV: 15 Tino Swanepoel, 14 Stefan Coetzee, 13 Sango Xamlashe, 12 Wian van Niekerk, 11 Darren Adonis; 10 Danrich Visagie, 9 Ross Braude; 8 Willie Engelbrecht (capt), 7 Ruwald van der Merwe, 6 Ntsika Fisanti; 5 Tiaan de Klerk, 4 JJ Scheepers; 3 Sampie Swiegers, 2 Eduan Swart, 1 Etienne Janeke. Replacements: 16 Jan-Henning Campher, 17 Zuki Sali, 18 Dewald Maritz, 19 Hanno Theunissen, 20 Andre Fouche, 21 Russwill Fredericks. 22 Tiaan Pretorius, 23 Dalvon Blood.

Vodacom Bulls v Airlink Pumas - Saturday @ Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria (3pm)

Referee: Morne Ferreira

Broadcast: SuperSport Rugby