World Cup-winning Springbok Canan Moodie and Junior Springbok of the Year Corné Beets both return to the matchday 23 to bolster the Vodacom Bulls ahead of the 2024 Carling Currie Cup Jukskei derby against the Fidelity ADT Lions at Midstream College on Friday 30 August 2024 at 17:00 (SA Time).
Head coach Phiwe Nomlomo has shuffled his forward pack which sees Dylan Smith, Joe van Zyl and uMacingwane u Khuthazani ka Mchunu lining up at the front row. Behind the trio will be the lock pairing of 2024 Junior MVP Merwe Olivier and Sintu Manjezi who gets a run at five this week. Skipper, Nizaam Carr will be at six flank alongside Beets who returns from injury. Celimpilo Gumede, who was player of the match in round 8, completes the forward pack at eight.
At half-back, Bernard van der Linde (scrumhalf) will be paired up alongside Jaco van der Walt who slots into flyhalf.
Stravino Jacobs will run at left wing with Springbok Sevens star, Katlego Letebele getting the opportunity to run on the right-hand side of the park. Fellow international, Canan Moodie will marshal the troops from fullback with Chris Barend Smit and Cornel Smit at centre.
Nomlomo has assembled a six-two split impact squad that features 2023 under-21 Forward of the Year Juann Else, Tielman Nieuwoudt, Mornay Smith, Jannes Kirsten, Merwe Olivier, Keagan Johannes, Lionel Mapoe and Mihlali Mosi.
Vodacom Bulls: 1. Dylan Smith, 2. Joe van Zyl, 3. Khuthazani ‘Khutha’ Mchunu, 4. Merwe Olivier, 5. Sintu Manjezi, 6. Nizaam Carr (c), 7. Corné Beets, 8. Celimpilo ‘Mpilo’ Gumede, 9. Bernard van der Linde, 10. Jaco van der Walt, 11. Stravino Jacobs, 12. Chris Barend Smit, 13. Cornel Smit, 14. Katlego Letebele, 15. Canan Moodie. Replacements: 16. Juann Else, 17. Tielman Nieuwoudt, 18. Mornay Smith, 19. Jannes Kirsten, 20. Ghudian van Reenen, 21. Keagan Johannes, 22. Lionel Mapoe, 23. Mihlali Mosi.