The Emirates Lions and Vodacom Bulls will face each other in final preparation for the upcoming 2023/24 Vodacom United Rugby Championship at the Wits University Rugby field, in Johannesburg today starting at 15:00.
Training match/match simulation which will be broken down into 30-minute sessions. All the players will play, not at once, there will be 30-minute matches until all players have had a chance to play.
Vodacom Bulls Director of Rugby, Jake White said: “We have had one of the toughest pre-seasons I have been a part of and this group has just shown immense levels of commitment and drive throughout. So that has meant we have had to box clever, keeping in mind that the coming season is going to be very long, especially when you consider the number of competitions that we are involved in,”
“To the outside, it may look like we have had little pre-season matches but that is by our design because we are conscious of the workload the team has already gone through. The run against the Lions will be an opportunity for us to scrutinize some of the details we have put into place and also have a real match-simulated feel on some of the combinations available to us for the season, and for some of our new recruits, it will be an opportunity for them to get a feel for the jersey ahead of an important season ahead,”
“It is an exciting time and I am sure it is just as exciting for the players because this is that final rehearsal before the opening of our Vodacom United Rugby Championship campaign.”
Vodacom Bulls Squad:
Forwards: Akker van der Merwe, Cameron Hanekom, Cyle Brink, Dylan Smith, Deon Slabbert, Elrigh Louw, Francois Klopper, Gerhard Steenekamp, Jacques Du Plessis, Jacques van Rooyen, Jannes Kirsten, Janko Swanepoel, Jan-Hendrik Wessels, JF van Heerden, Joe van Zyl, Johan Grobbelaar, Khutha Mchunu, Marcell Coetzee, Merwe Olivier, Mihlali Mosi, Mornay Smith, Mpilo Gumede, Muller Uys, Nizaam Carr, Phumzile Maqondwana, Reinhardt Ludwig, Robert Hunt, Ruan Nortje, Ruan Vermaak, Sebastian Lombard, Simphiwe Matanzima, Tiaan Lange, Tielman Nieuwoudt, Wilco Louw, WJ Steenkamp
Backs: Bernard van der Linde, Chris Barend Smit, Chris Smith, Cornal Hendricks, David Kriel, Devon Williams, Embrose Papier, Harold Vorster, Henry Immelman, Jaco van der Walt, Johan Goosen, Kabelo Mokwena, Keagan Johannes, Lionel Mapoe, Marco Jansen van Vuren, Sibongile Novuka, Sebastian de Klerk, Sergeal Petersen, Stedman Gans, Stravino Jacobs, Wandisile Simelane, Zak Burger.
