With their Carling Currie Cup campaign in urgent need of a turnaround after two consecutive defeats, the Vodacom Bulls XV have received a timely squad boost. Six members of South Africa’s World Rugby U20 Championship-winning squad have been named in the matchday 23 for tomorrow’s Jukskei derby against the Fidelity ADT Lions.
Siphosethu Mnebelele, Kebotile Maake, Heinrich Theron, Hendre Schoeman, Aka Boqwane, and Thomas Beling all return to Pretoria. Fresh off helping the Junior Springboks lift global silverware, they inject youthful confidence into a side desperate for Currie Cup points.
The Gauteng derby, hosted at the University of Johannesburg, doubles as a major milestone with seven players in line for Currie Cup debuts. Maake, Theron, Schoeman, and winger Lindsey Jansen all earn starting berths. Meanwhile, Johnathan Eloff, Boqwane, and Lavela Pongolo are poised to secure their first caps from the bench.
Experienced Springbok lock Nicolaas Janse van Rensburg takes over the captaincy following a season-ending injury to Nama Xaba. Janse van Rensburg partners Sintu Manjezi in the second row. Behind them, U20 world champion Beling anchors the scrum at No 8 alongside debutants Maake and Theron in a revamped loose trio.
In the backline, Junior Bok star Hendre Schoeman pairs with flyhalf Keagan Johannes at the halfback directive. Out wide, Lindsey Jansen takes up his spot on the wing, while the seasoned Devon Williams provides a steadying presence from fullback. []
Facing an uphill battle after a winless start to the season, the Vodacom Bulls XV coaching staff will count on this injection of championship-winning pedigree. With regional bragging rights and critical log points on the line, Saturday's clash offers a golden stage for a new generation of Pretoria talent to step into the spotlight.
Vodacom Bulls XV: 1. Damian Baker, 2. Jaundre Schoeman, 3. Dian Coetzee, 4. Sintu Manjezi, 5. Nicolaas Janse van Rensburg (c), 6. Kebotile Maake, 7. Heinrich Theron, 8. Thomas Beling, 9. Hendre Schoeman, 10. Keagan Johannes, 11. Lindsey Jansen, 12. Christiaan Vlok, 13. Hakeem Kunene, 14. Riyaad Bam, 15. Devon Williams. Replacements: 16. Siphosethu Mnebelele, 17. Dylan Smith, 18. Jean Erasmus, 19. Johnathan Eloff, 20. Abongile Nonkontwana, 21. Cephas van Biljon, 22. Aka Boqwane, 23. Lavela Pongolo.