Newly recruited players, Cobus Wiese, Sintu Manjezi, Aphiwe Dyantyi, Boeta Chamberlain and Alulutho Tshakweni have all been handed their official club debuts when the Vodacom Bulls begin their 2024 Carling Currie Cup campaign against Cape side, the DHL Western Province at the DHL Stadium in Cape Town on Sunday (3pm kick-off).
Head coach, Phiwe Nomlomo says the side has been planning for months and the start of the campaign is exciting for all.
“We have prepared hard for this competition, and we all understand what is expected from every one of us. We are just excited to get going.
“We have been bolstered by the arrival of the recruits, who have come on and worked hard to understand our systems and fit in what we are looking for. I imagine the energy is going to be even better when we get the guys who are currently injured, returning to play."
Nomlomo adds: “It is a good place to be and we look forward to having South Africans turn out to support the oldest going rugby competition.”
The herd will see a forward row comprising Dylan Smith at loosehead prop, Jope van Zyl - who returns to play after a long injury layoff, starts at hooker and Francois Klopper is at tighthead prop. Behind the trio are Wiese and Manjezi at lock with Corné Beets and Jannes Kirsten at flank with skipper, Nizaam Carr overseeing matters from eight.
Bernard van der Linde at scrumhalf, pairs up with Jaco van der Walt at flyhalf and the halfback duo will have a backline assembly of Devon Williams at left wing and Sergeal Petersen on the right-hand side of the park. Boeta Chamberlain starts at fullback with Chris Barend Smit and Aphiwe Dyantyi pairing up at inside and outside centre, respectively.
Juann Else, Tshakweni, Khutha Mchunu, Merwe Olivier, Celimpilo Gumede, Zak Burger, Chris Smith and Cornal Hendricks form the 5-3 split impact squad.
DHL Western Province starting XV: 15 Luke Burger, 14 Courtnall Skosan, 13 Wandisile Simelane, 12 Jean-Luc du Plessis, 11 Angelo Davids; 10 Jurie Matthee, 9 Imad Khan; 8 Willie Engelbrecht (capt), 7 Connor Evans, 6 CJ Velleman; 5 Gary Porter, 4 Adre Smith; 3 Sazi Sandi, 2 JJ Kotze, 1 Lizo Gqoboka. Replacements: 16 Scarra Ntubeni, 17 Vernon Matongo, 18 Corne Weilbach, 19 Hendre Stassen, 20 Paul de Villiers, 21 Louw Nel, 22 Labib Kannemeyer, 23 Damian Markus.
Vodacom Bulls starting XV: 15 Boeta Chamberlain, 14 Sergeal Petersen, 13 Aphiwe Dyantyi, 12 Chris Barend Smit, 11 Devon Williams; 10 Jaco van der Walt, 9 Bernard van der Linde; 8 Nizaam Carr (capt), 7 Jannes Kirsten, 6 Corné Beets; 5 Sintu Manjezi, 4 Cobus Wiese; 3 Francois Klopper, 2 Jope van Zyl, 1 Dylan Smith. Replacements: 16 Juann Else, 17 Alulutho Tshakweni, 18 Khutha Mchunu, 19 Merwe Olivier, 20 Celimpilo Gumede, 21 Zak Burger, 22 Chris Smith, 23 Cornal Hendricks.
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