The NovaVit Griffons will host the Vodacom Bulls on Friday, 31 March 2023 in Welkom at 15h00. The winner of the weekend’s first fixture, between the NovaVit Griffons and Vodacom Bulls, will leave the field victorious for the first time this season after both sides have struggled in the opening rounds.
Vodacom Bulls coach Edgar Marutlulle welcomes back two Springboks, flyhalf Johan Goosen and loose forward Nizaam Carr, in his starting fifteen in an effort to halt their slide of three losses so far.
The Welkom outfit have showed glimpses of good play in their losing efforts against Cell C Sharks and Fidelity ADT Lions before running out of steam, and on Friday they face a Vodacom Bulls side brimful of experience and desperate to turn their season around.
Teams:
NovaVit Griffons: 15. Domenic Smit, 14. Jamba Ulengo, 13. Carel Jan Coetzee, 12. Marquit September, 11. Randy Fielies, 10. Duan Pretorius (c), 9. Jaywinn Juries, 8. Sokhuphumla Xakalashe, 7. Jean Pretorius, 6. Mitchell Carstens, 5. Michael Benadie, 4. Jaco Willemse, 3. Doctor Booysen, 2. Dandre Delport, 1. Stephan de Jager. Replacements: 16. Hendrik van Schoor, 17. Xolani Jacobs, 18. Buhle Nojekwa, 19. Wikus Nieuwenhuis, 20. Curtly Thomas, 21. Richman Gora, 22. Robbie Petzer, 23. Duren Hoffman.
Vodacom Bulls: 15. Franco Knoetze, 14. Quewin Nortje, 13. Wandisile Simelane, 12. Lionel Mapoe, 11. Kabelo Mokoena, 10. Johan Goosen, 9. Keagan Johannes, 8. Muller Uys, 7. Nizaam Carr, 6. Phumzile Maqondwana, 5. Reinhardt Ludwig, 4. Jacques du Plessis, 3. Robert Hunt, 2. Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 1. Lizo Gqoboka (c). Replacement: 16. Simphiwe Matanzima, 17. Joe van Zyl, 18. Sebastian Lombard, 19. Jacques Alberts, 20. Mihhali Mosi, 21. Bernard van der Linde, 22. Chris Smit, 23. Adriaan Joubert.