In perhaps the most significant change to the Vodacom Bulls line-up for their second Carling Currie Cup match, against the Hollywoodbets Sharks on Saturday at 17:00 (SA Time), coach Phiwe Nomlomo has drafted in Jaco van der Walt at flyhalf with in-form Boeta Chamberlain shifted to fullback.
With a handful of players nursing injuries, Nomlomo also opted for a frontrow change, Juann Else coming in for Joe van Zyl at hooker, and has given Springbok Aphiwe Dyantyi his first start of the season, in the No 14 jersey.
Both Henry Immelman, the fullback, and Van Zyl picked up niggles last weekend. Dyantyi, meanwhile, returns from injury.
In a further nod to youth, Nomlomo has named three debutants on the bench in the shape of Esethu Mnebelele, Ruan Swart, and JJ Theron.
Nomlomo believes the Sharks will be much improved after their season-opening defeat last weekend.
“Without a doubt, they’ll be 10 per cent better. It will be a tough game. People mustn’t get the false hope that the Sharks are this and that, they’re still a darn good team, well coached, who won the Cup last year with youngsters initially.”
Vodacom Bulls: 1. Dylan Smith, 2. Juann Else, 3. Francois Klopper, 4. Sintu Manjezi, 5. Marvin Orie, 6. Nama Xaba, 7. Junior Pokomela, 8. Jeandre Rudolph, 9. Zak Burger, 10. Jaco van der Walt, 11. Stravino Jacobs, 12. Chris Barend Smit, 13. Stedman Gans, 14. Aphiwe Dyantyi, 15. Boeta Chamberlain. Replacements: 16. Esethu Mnebelele, 17. Ruan Swart, 18. Jean Erasmus, 19. Dylan de Leeuw, 20. JJ Theron, 21. Steven Nel, 22. PA van Niekerk, 23. Cornel Smit.