Vodacom Director of Rugby, Jake White announced his side that will face the Emirates Lions as the two South African rivals meet in round 15 of the 2022/23 Vodacom United Rugby Championship, on Saturday 04 March 2023 at 16h45 (SA Time).
The two old foes met in round 1 of this campaign, with White’s men registering a resounding 31-15 victory in Johannesburg. However, this return clash has more weight to it as Pretoria’s team will be looking for maximum points to elevate higher on the log whilst the visitors will be hoping to find something that can give them hopes of a playoff spot. Thus, giving both sides enough tantalising motivation to make this, a possible derby for the ages.
Dylan Smith and WJ Steenkamp are the only changes to the forwards’ pack that did duty a week ago, whilst Embrose Papier and Morne Steyn combine at halfback. David Kriel moves into the inside centre with Cornal Hendricks on his outside, as Wandisile Simelane starts at fullback. Speedster, Sbu Nkosi (left) is joined by Sibongile Novuka (right) on the wings, adding more firepower to the pace of the lineup.
Bernard van der Linde is the only other addition to the matchday 23 that is set to feature from the impact squad, alongside the likes of Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Simphiwe Matanzima, Francois Klopper, Ruan Vermaak, Cyle Brink, Chris Smith and centre Harold Vorster.
Vodacom Bulls: 1. Dylan Smith, 2. Johan Grobbelaar, 3. Mornay Smith, 4. Jacques Du Plessis, 5. Ruan Nortje (c), 6. Marco
van Staden, 7. WJ Steenkamp, 8. Elrigh Louw, 9. Embrose Papier, 10. Morne Steyn, 11. Sbu Nkosi, 12. David
Kriel, 13. Cornal Hendricks, 14. Sibongile Novuka, 15. Wandisile Simelane. Replacements: 16. Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 17. Simphiwe Matanzima, 18. Francois Klopper, 19. Ruan Vermaak, 20. Cyle Brink, 21. Bernard van der Linde, 22. Chris Smith, 23. Harold Vorster.
