Vodacom Bulls Currie Cup head coach, Edgar Marutlulle has selected a balanced mix of experience alongside youth as the herd travels to Bloemfontein for round 3 of the 2023 Currie Cup competition on Friday at 17:05 (SA Time).
Springbok prop, Lizo Gqoboka returns to the starting lineup, leading the side with Lionel Mapoe serving as his vice. Gqoboka will line up alongside Jan Hendrik Wessels and Robert Hunt in the front row. Jacques Du Plessis and Reinhardt Ludwig will form part of the second row with Cameron Hanekom, Mihlali Mosi and Muller Uys behind them in the back row.
Keagan Johannes returns as the halfback partner of Chris Smit. At the same time, vice-captain, Lionel Mapoe and Wandisile Simelane will be the centre pairing with Kabelo Mokoena and Quewin Nortje on the wings as Franco Knoetze marshalls the troops at full-back.
Both Franco Knoetze and Adriaan Joubert will debut for the Vodacom Bulls, with Juan Mostert set to feature as one of the club's success stories.
Vodacom Bulls: 1. Lizo Gooboka (c), 2. Jan Hendrik Wessels, 3. Robert Hunt, 4. Jacques Du Plessis, 5. Reinhardt Ludwig, 6. Cameron Hanekom, 7. Mihlali Mosi, 8. Muller Uys, 9. Keagan Johannes, 10. Chris Smit, 11. Kabelo Mokoena, 12. Lionel Mapoe (vc), 13. Wandisile Simelane, 14. Quewin Nortje, 15. Franco Knoetze. Replacements: 16. Joe Van Zyl, 17. Jacques Van Rooyen, 18. Sebastian Lombard, 19. Juan Van Der Weshuizen, 20. Phumzile Maqondwana, 21. Bernard Van Der Linde, 22. Adriaan Joubert, 23. Juan Mostert