Vodacom Bulls head coach Phiwe Nomlomo has switched his halfback combination by recalling Keagan Johannes to scrumhalf to pair up with Johan Goosen at flyhalf for the 2024 Carling Currie Cup. Nomlomo’s herd will go head-to-head against Durbanites, the Hollywoodbets on Saturday 14 September from 17:00 (SA Time) at Loftus Versfeld Stadium.
There are also notable returns for Rocket Man – Stravino Jacobs – at left wing, Bullie – Dylan Smith – starts at front row alongside Akker van der Merwe and Wilco Louw; whilst Bernard van der Linde forms part of the six-two split impact squad that also features Joe van Zyl, Jacques van Rooyen, Francois Klopper, Sintu Manjezi, Merwe Olivier, Katlego Letebele and Celimpilo ka Gumede.
Elsewhere, Nizaam Carr shifts from the impact squad to captain and starts at flank alongside Marcell Coetzee. There is also a swap for Boeta Chamberlain and Stedman Gans who line up at fullback and centre respectively, having been involved in Durban off the wooden stool.
Jannes Kirsten and Cobus Wiese combine once more at lock with Cameron Hanekom retained for eighth man duties. At centre, David Kriel moves to the inside with Gans on his outside. Henry Immelman will run out again at right wing.
Vodacom Bulls: 1. Dylan Smith, 2. Akker van der Merwe, 3. Wilco Louw, 4. Jannes Kirsten, 5. Cobus Wiese, 6. Marcell Coetzee, 7. Nizaam Carr (c), 8. Cameron Hanekom, 9. Keagan Johannes, 10. Johan Goosen, 11. Stravino Jacobs, 12. David Kriel, 13. Stedman Gans, 14. Henry Immelman, 15. Boeta Chamberlain. Replacements: 16. Joe van Zyl, 17. Jacques van Rooyen, 18. Francois Klopper, 19. Sintu Manjezi, 20. Merwe Olivier, 21. Bernard van der Linde, 22. Katlego Letebele, 23. Celimpilo Gumede.