Vodacom Bulls give starts to Schoeman, Jenkins and Gqoboka
Vodacom Bulls coach Nollis Marais gave first starts to Tian Schoeman, Jason Jenkins and Lizo Gqoboka in his run-on team for Saturday's Vodacom Super Rugby match against the Sunwolves in Singapore.
They all played off the bench in last weekend's draw against the Sharks and along with Jesse Kriel returning, will replace Jan Serfontein, Francois Brummer, Grant Hattingh and Trevor Nyakane respectively. Hattingh is injured and did not travel to the East, with the other three moves to the bench. Nicolaas Janse van Rensburg will be the back-up lock for this clash.
Marais also named Pierre Schoeman (in for Hencus van Wyk) on the bench. Schoeman will make his Vodacom Super Rugby debut if he comes onto the field.
"We had a good session here in Singapore and I wanted to refresh our effort this week. The guys coming off the bench will be fresher than those who played against the Sharks and we are going to need a fast start. We have seen them play, but the Sunwolves will still be an unknown factor to us. They will be dangerous and we need to be sharp," Marais said.
Vodacom Bulls captain Adriaan Strauss said the team is excited to be in Singapore and play here for the first time.
"Our focus is to deliver 80 minutes of quality rugby on the field. We have not played here before, so will have to adapt to the conditions and the opponents, so need to be at our best. We are keen to deliver a performance that we and our supporters can be proud of."
The team (with Vodacom Super Rugby caps) is: Warrick Gelant (3), Jamba Ulengo (1), Jesse Kriel (19), Burger Odendaal (13), Bjorn Basson (89), Tian Schoeman (10), Rudy Paige (24), Arno Botha (36), Jannes Kirsten (3), Roelof Smit (6), RG Snyman (3), Jason Jenkins (3), Marcel van der Merwe (26), Adriaan Strauss (121), Lizo Gqoboka (3). Replacements: Bandise Maku (51), Trevor Nyakane (61), Pierre Schoeman (0), Nicolaas Janse van Rensburg (3), Nic de Jager (3), Piet van Zyl (57), Francois Brummer (8), Jan Serfontein (39).
Notes:
- Pierre Schoeman will make his debut for the Vodacom Bulls in the competition, should he take to the field.
Ek sou Bjorn n lang rus gegee het !
Die Japanese se skrumwerk en hul slim spel het my tot dusver beindruk. Hulle het eers in Februarie as span bymekaar gekom so hulle is nog nie heltemal 80 minute fiks nie (so ook nie die Bulle nie!)
As ons hierdie outjies gaan onderskat gaan ons gly op die piesangskil. Blykbaar is die weer taamlik humied in Singapoer.
Ek sien uit na die Burger Odendaal- Kriel kombinasie langs Tiaan Schoeman. Ook bly Pierre Schoeman is in die span. dit lyk of Nyakane vir Marcel gaan vervang op vasskop en Pierre sal vir Gcoboka vervang.
Ek dink regtig vir hierdie game kon Nollis maar vir Hanro kans gegee het as impak speler en vir de Jager lat bly het by die huis
Jammer om Kirsten, De Jager nog daar te sien. Hulle laat Jono Ross lyk soos n wereld klas speler.
Dink dis goed dat Jan ook bietjie bank sit.
Met Hattingh, Lappies en Steggies wat nog gaan bykom, lyk diepte al heelwat beter.
As Basson net kan leer verdedig, gaan hy by meer vir sy span beteken.
Sterkte Bulle, gaan groot!
Al wat hulle moet doen is crassball speel
Kyk maar terug al die senters wat top klas was todat hulle by bulle crassball en kick en charge speel
Ikeys the last hurdle...