The Jukskei Derby staged at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday at 18:30 (SA Time) will be particularly important. The Vodacom Bulls will have the chance to claim their third-straight win of the tournament, after losing their first four matches. By contrast, the Fidelity ADT Lions will be desperate to end a two-game losing streak.
The Vodacom Bulls currently sit in seventh place on the log. They will surpass their Gauteng rivals, who are in sixth place – if they win this Saturday, and may even finish the round in the top four if other results go their way.
England International and Bath captain will make his Vodacom Bulls debut in round 7 of the 2023 edition of the Currie Cup.
Ewels is one of only three changes made by Director of Rugby, Jake White to the matchday 23 that did service a week ago in Durban. Ewels steps in for Janko Swanepoel whilst WJ Steenkamp replaces Nizaam Carr who is currently going through the procedural HIA recovery process. At the back, Juan Mostert comes in place of Franco Knoetze.
Teams:
Vodacom Bulls: 15 Juan Mostert, 14 Sibongile Novuka, 13 Lionel Mapoe, 12 Chris Barend Smit, 11 Wandisile Simelane, 10 Morne Steyn, 9 Zak Burger, 8 WJ Steenkamp, 7 Reinhardt Ludwig (c), 6 Cameron Hanekom, 5 Charlie Ewels, 4 Jacques Du Plessis, 3 Sebastian Lombard, 2 Jan-Hendrik Wessels,1 Simphiwe Matanzima. Replacements: 16 Jacques van Rooyen, 17 Tiaan Lange, 18 Robert Hunt, 19 Merwe Olivier, 20 Mihlali Mosi, 21 Bernard van der Linde, 22 Cornal Hendricks, 23 Kabelo Mokoena.
Fidelity ADT Lions: 15 Vaughen Isaacs, 14 Prince Nkabine, 13 Stean Pienaar, 12 Tyler Bocks, 11 Boldwin Hansen, 10 Tiaan Swanepoel, 9 Nico Steyn, 8 Travis Gordon, 7 Jarod Cairns, 6 Renzo du Plessis, 5 Darrien-Lane Landsberg, 4 Raynard Roets, 3 Ruan Smith, 2 Jaco Visagie (c), 1 Sti Sithole. Replacements: 16 Michael van Vuuren, 17 Kayden Kiesit, 18 Kabous Bezuidenhout, 19 PJ Steenkamp, 20 Emmanuel Tshituka, 21 Cal Smid, 22 Andre Warner, 23 Rynhardt Jonker.
