Beyers back for Vodacom Blue Bulls
Utility back Ulrich Beyers will make a welcome return to the Vodacom Blue Bulls on Saturday when the Pretoria side takes on Toyota Free State in a Currie Cup clash in Bloemfontein.
Beyers last played for the Blue Bulls in 2014, before overseas stints with Bordeaux in France and Zebre in Italy.
He will play at fullback in one of two enforced backline changes made by Vodacom Blue Bulls coach, Nollis Marais.
Bjorn Basson, who started at fullback against the DHL Western Province in last weekend's opening tournament win, moves to wing in place of injured Jade Stighling, allowing Beyers to again wear his old jersey.
Dan Kriel is also starting in place of injured Dries Swanepoel.
Kriel's spot on the bench will be taken by Duncan Matthews. In other changes on the bench, Edgar Marutlulle comes in for Bandise Maku in what will be a first appearance for the hooker in blue, while Martin Dreyer and RG Snyman comes in for Nqoba Mxoli and Eli Snyman respectively. In another change, Joshua Stander will warm the bench as back-up flyhalf in place of Tony Jantjies.
Marais said the good performance delivered by his team last weekend against WP will mean nothing if the momentum cannot be maintained.
"We did well, especially in the first half against WP, but we cannot rest on our laurels. The Free State Cheetahs is packed with quality players all around their team and they will ask serious questions of our temperament and commitment, especially as it is their first home match in the Currie Cup. We need to be switched on for this one."
Vodacom Blue Bulls captain, Arno Botha, said they need to maintain an 80 minute effort.
"We stopped playing in that second half against WP and it almost destroyed the good work we did in the first half. We will have to play at our best all of the match if we want to leave Bloemfontein with points. The Cheetahs can punish you from anywhere on the field, so we need to really work hard on defence and use our chances on attack.”
The team is: Ulrich Beyers, Bjorn Basson, Dan Kriel, Burger Odendaal, Jamba Ulengo, Tian Schoeman, Piet van Zyl, Arno Botha (c), Jannes Kirsten, Ruan Steenkamp, Marvin Orie, Jason Jenkins, Entienne Swanepoel, Jaco Visagie, Pierre Schoeman. Replacements: Edgar Marutlulle, Martin Dreyer, RG Snyman, Hanro Liebenberg, Andre Warner, Joshua Stander, Duncan Matthews.
Notes:
Duncan Matthews, Edgar Marutlulle and Martin Dreyer will make their Currie Cup Premier Division debut for the Vodacom Blue Bulls if they take to the field on Saturday.
Hoop hy kan speel.
Baie jammer Dries is beseer hy het net begin bewys hy is 1 van die bestes. Sou wat wou gee as hy en Jan Serf weer langs mekaar kan settle. Burger O is overrated, het n kwaai aftrap, maar verder.
Bulls wys ons julle kan die hele Curriebeker speel soos die 1ste 60 minute van Saterdag!
Dan hoop ons die M Verwey is manna uit hemel as vaskop!!! Wonder hoe fiks is E swanepoel
Agterlangs is ek maar skepties oor Ulrich. Hy het net in 50% van sy klub se games verlede jaar gespeel en dit hoofsaaklik agv iemand anders se besering. Bjorn het goed gedoen op heelagter en slaankrag aan die agterlyn Gegee. Kefentse Mahlo of Luther Obi kon op vleuel kans gekry het.
Wat het van Lizo geword, hoor niks van hom in die beseringverslag nie ? Hoe lank voor Jan reg is ?
Omdat die CB net een rondte is, moet ons eenvoudig elke game wen teen die groter spanne wen, sodat ons tuis semi en moontlike finaal op Loftus kan maak. Dink nie Pumas, Boland of Kings gaan die mas opkom nie. Griekwas kan wel 'n paar spanne weer verras.
Sterkte Bulle.
Cheers Manne
M Verwey speel slot vir die bulle se onder 19 Span.Jy verwys dalk na Martin Dreyer.Hy is n baie goeie vaskop en kan n groot aanwins wees vir die Bulle.
Bulle se aangee werk onder druk was ook nie goed nie. Dries Swanepoel was erg gemis. Ons ergste swakpunt is egter ons afskoppe. Dit lol al daar sedert die Super 18. Spelers nomineer nie of ons maak swak skoon.
Projek Ulrich Beyers het nie vir my gewerk nie. Cheetahs kon die heel aand na ahrtelus id hoeke skop en Beyers was baie keer uit posisie. So moes Jaco Visagie op stadium agter dek. En dan was ons tackling shocking met tye en dit het aan die Cheetahs die vinnige bal besorg waarmee hul heeltyd momentum kon hê. Lynstane op crucial tye verloor en strafskoppe in aanvallende sones.
Ek het gedink Jason Jenkins en Ruan Steenkamp was baie goed. Pierre Schoeman ook nie bad game gehad nie.
Harde werk lê voor vir die Bulle. Cheetas, Leeus en Sharks lyk baie goed. Ons gaan moet baklei vir 4e plek.
Goeie crowd turn out op Vrystaat stadion.
Bring vir Wynand Claasen in as Direkteur van Rugby en dinge sal onmiddelik beter gaan.