The Vodacom Blue Bulls made five changes to their side to take on Western Province in Cape Town on Saturday, with the young sensation, Marius Delport, making his debut in a Currie Cup starting XV.
As is already well known, Anton Leonard will lead his team for the 50th time on Saturday. This match is of paramount importance for the Blue Bulls’ Currie Cup campaign and his team will want to put its best foot forward.
Delport was appointed Player of the Tournament in last year’s Under-19 World Championship and this big winger boasts speed in the Bryan Habana class.
The other new back is Johan Roets, who makes a welcome return after spending two weeks on the sideline courtesy of a hip injury.
Danie Rossouw has been promoted to the Springbok side and Adriaan Fondse, who has already distinguished himself in this year’s competition, takes his place in the starting line-up once again.
Andries Human replaces the injured Richard Bands, while Kees Lensing is also starting again.
Due to injuries, the Blue Bulls’ coaching staff could not yet name the replacements.
The teams:
Vodacom Blue Bulls: Johan Roets; John Mametsa, Wynand Olivier, Ettienne Botha, Marius Delport; Morné Steyn, Heini Adams; Anton Leonard (K), Johan Wasserman, Ruan Vermeulen, Francois van Schouwenburg, Adriaan Fondse, Andries Human, Danie Coetzee, Kees Lensing.
WP:
Chris Rossouw; Egon Seconds, Gus Theron, Werner Greeff (k), Tonderai Chavhanga; Peter Grant, Neil De Kock; Adri Badenhorst, Pieter Louw, Luke Watson, Rob Linde, Andries Bekker, Pat Barnard, Federico Mendez, JD Moller. Replacements: Louis Loubser, Faan Rautenbach, Ross Skeate, Justin Melck, Bolla Conradie, Earl Rose, Corne Uys.