The Vodacom Bulls will have their sights set on their fifth victory in a row when taking on Ulster today at Loftus Versveld @ 14h00.
The fact that the visitors have won only one of their four matches in South Africa will inspire the Vodacom Bulls to continue their winning run, fuelling the northern Gauteng side’s determination, they recorded bonus points for tries in six of their last eight Vodacom URC fixtures
The Vodacom Bulls have made three changes to their starting team. Tighthead prop, Mornay Smith, will make a return to the starting XV after being on the bench in last weekend’s win over the Dragons. He replaces Jacques van Rooyen, who received a knock to the leg in last week’s match.
In the backline, Zak Burger will start at scrumhalf where he will form a halfback pairing with Chris Smith, while Cornal Hendricks will earn a starting berth at outside centre, switching spots with Lionel Mapoe, who goes to the bench.
The Vodacom Bulls expect a bruising battle against a highly competitive Ulster Rugby side, that has been dominating so far this season. The Irishmen find themselves sitting pretty in second place on the overall log of the Vodacom URC.
“We have had a tough couple of weeks against strong overseas opposition, and this week we are up against the team that is second on the Vodacom URC log currently. This will be similar to a test match for us, and we are looking forward to measuring ourselves against one of the best teams in the competition,” said Vodacom Bulls director of rugby, Jake White, ahead of the clash.
“We are looking forward to seeing Mornay Smith back in the starting lineup, while we are excited to see this team maintain their consistency as we continue to grow together as a unit.
“This will not only be a big game for us, but also for our fans whom we hope to see in their numbers at Loftus Versfeld. We can never underplay the role that supporters play and how important it is to have them back at our stadiums.”
Ulster head coach John McFarland said "It’s going to be really difficult. We’re expecting really stiff competition. The game will be really physical and fast in the sense that if the game breaks up, The Bulls have the speed on the edge to be able to punish you. We’ll have to adapt to the heat and the style of play that they use. I genuinely believe we’ll have to give our best to have a chance of winning out here."
Andrew Warwick will make his 150th appearance for the province as he has been named to start at loosehead prop and will be joined in the front row by Brad Roberts and Marty Moore. Iain Henderson comes into skipper the side at the second row and will partner fellow Irish international, Kieran Treadwell. Jordi Murphy and Nick Timoney come in to start at blindside and openside flanker, with Duane Vermeulen at the base of the scrum at Number Eight.
Mike Lowry is selected to start at full-back, with Ben Moxham and Ethan McIlroy named on the wings. Luke Marshall and James Hume will form the centre partnership while Ian Madigan and Nathan Doak make up the half-back pairing.
The Ulster coaching team has opted for a 6-2 split on the bench, with Tom Stewart, Eric O’Sullivan, Tom O’Toole, Mick Kearney, Matty Rea and Marcus Rea selected as forwards reinforcements. John Cooney and Stewart Moore provide the backline cover.
Weather: 28° with 11km/h NW wind, partially cloudy with 27% humidity.
Prediction: Vodacom Bulls by 15
Teams:
Vodacom Bulls: 15. Kurt-Lee Arendse, 14. Canan Moodie, 13. Cornal Hendricks, 12. Harold Vorster, 11. Madosh Tambwe, 10. Chris Smith, 9. Zak Burger, 8. Elrigh Louw, 7. Cyle Brink, 6. Marcell Coetzee (c), 5. Ruan Nortje, 4. Walt Steenkamp, 3. Mornay Smith, 2. Johan Grobbelaar, 1. Gerhard Steenekamp. Replacements: 16. Joe van Zyl, 17. Simphiwe Matanzima, 18. Robert Hunt, 19. Reinhardt Ludwig, 20. Arno Botha, 21. Keagan Johannes, 22. Morne Steyn, 23. Lionel Mapoe.
Ulster: 15. Mike Lowry, 14. Ben Moxham, 13. James Hume, 12. Luke Marshall, 11. Ethan McIlroy, 10. Ian Madigan, 9. Nathan Doak, 8. Duane Vermeulen, 7. Nick Timoney, 6. Jordi Murphy, 5. Iain Henderson (c), 4. Kieran Treadwell, 3. Marty Moore, 2. Brad Roberts, 1. Andrew Warwick. Replacements: 16. Tom Stewart, 17. Eric O’Sullivan, 18. Tom O’Toole, 19. Mick Kearney, 20. Matty Rea, 21. John Cooney, 22. Marcus Rea, 23. Stewart Moore.