Wessels and Jacobs start, Xaba set for debut in Welkom

Jan-Hendrik Wessels will wear the No 1 jersey for the Vodacom Bulls on Sunday against the Griffons in the second round of the Currie Cup. © Vodacom Bulls

Jan-Hendrik Wessels and Stravino Jacobs have both been handed starts whilst new recruit, Nama Xaba is set to make his franchise debut in Round 2 of the 2024 Carling Currie Cup in Welkom.

Head coach Phiwe Nomlomo has made minor adjustments to his side with one injury-enforced and other positional changes ahead of the NovaVit Griffons clash on Sunday (2pm kick-off). Nomlomo has called up Wessels, Xaba, Jacobs and Jacques ‘Policieman’ van Rooyen into the matchday 23. These changes see Celimpilo Gumede in the starting XV with skipper Nizaam Carr changing positions.

Wessels starts at prop alongside Joe van Zyl (hooker) and Francois Klopper who all form the front row. Behind the trio will be new lock pairing of Sintu Manjezi and Cobus Wiese who was named Player of the Match in Round 1. Carr shifts to flank alongside Jannes Kirsten and Gumede slots in at No 8.

Nomlomo says Wessels is a versatile asset to the team with the ability to start at prop and finish at hooker.

“Jan-Hendrik returns from the Boks to start at loosehead this weekend, he is a very versatile player who can play in both positions. We have been wanting to see him run for us and later in the game he can shift, so just because he starts at prop doesn’t mean he can’t switch to hooker later in the game.

“I hope that he has a good game and is in the running for the next test.”

At the back, Jacobs is the only change, coming in place of Boeta Chamberlain who is on family leave. Jacobs starts at left wing which sees Devon Williams shifting to fullback whilst Sergeal Petersen is retained on the right side of the park with Chris Barend Smit and Aphiwe Dyantyi partnering up at centre.

“It is good to see Stravino getting a run at wing with Boeta getting married this weekend. We wish him and his wife well for the future! We also get to see Jacque forming part of the impact squad and he covers both one and three,” Nomlomo said.

Nomlomo has opted for a five-three split impact squad which will feature Xaba, Van Rooyen, Dylan Smith, Khutha Mchunu, Merwe Olivier, Zak Burger, Chris Smith and Cornal Hendricks.

“We will not take them (Griffons) lightly, at home, we know exactly what we have to do and they will be confident too considering how the fixture turned out for them last season. They will be tough and if anything, they are the ones who will be feeling overly confident even though they didn’t go well last week.

“We are quite chuffed to see Nama go this weekend. I am not sure a lot of people know his leadership qualities off the field, he doesn’t just bring skills on the floor but it is also what he does in the changeroom. He will be good for our environment,” he concluded.

Vodacom Bulls starting XV: 15 Devon Williams, 14 Sergeal Petersen, 13 Aphiwe Dyantyi, 12 Chris Barend Smit, 11 Stravino Jacobs; 10 Jaco van der Walt, 9 Bernard van der Linde; 8 Celimpilo Gumede, 7 Jannes Kirsten, 6 Nizaam Carr (capt); 5 Sintu Manjezi, 4 Cobus Wiese; 3 Francois Klopper, 2 Joe van Zyl, 1 Jan-Hendrik Wessels. Replacements: 16 Jacques van Rooyen, 17 Dylan Smith, 18 Khutha Mchunu, 19 Merwe Olivier, 20 Nama Xaba, 21 Zak Burger, 22 Chris Smith, 23 Cornal Hendricks.