World Cup-winning prop Trevor Nyakane will anchor the scrum in the only change to the starting team when the Bulls host the Stormers at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday 31 October 2020.
There are few rivalries as intense as the North-South derby. The Bulls will be looking to make amends for their abject 13-0 loss against the same opponents earlier this year before the pandemic put paid to the regular Super Rugby season.
Bulls facing promising Stormers pack
The Bulls have made some changes to the pack that destroyed the Sharks last week, looking to change their approach against the larger Stormers eight.
“The starting team will look towards the abrasive yet dynamic style of play that Junior Springbok lock forward Ruan Nortje brings to the table,” a Bulls Press release reads.
Nortje has made 20 carries and 21 tackles thus far and finds himself one of only two players to do so after three rounds of Vodacom Super Rugby Unlocked.
Jason Jenkins and Nortje, the Bulls lock pairing, will test themselves against the Stormers man-mountains JD Schickerling and Salmaan Moerat.
Carr on the bench
There is a further change amongst the finishers with Springbok loose forward Nizaam Carr replacing fellow Springbok Arno Botha.
“The Stormers tend to be our measuring stick and beating them is non-negotiable amongst the players. We’ve come off a comfortable win, while our opposition for Saturday had to scratch and claw their way past the Pumas, so the stage is set for a hard and bruising affair,” said Bulls Director of Rugby, Jake White.
Travis Ismaiel and Kurt-Lee Arendse were great against the Sharks last week and can further their cases for higher honours with another strong showing.
The experienced halfback pairing of Ivan van Zyl and Morne Steyn start for the Bulls again giving them continuity in key positions.
Kick-off at Loftus will be at 19:00 with the match broadcast on DStv on Supersport’s Grandstand and Rugby channels.
Super Rugby Unlocked – Bulls team vs Stormers
Bulls XV: 15. David Kriel, 14. Travis Ismaiel, 13. Stedman Gans, 12. Cornal Hendricks, 11. Kurt-Lee Arendse, 10. Morné Steyn, 9. Ivan van Zyl, 8. Duane Vermeulen (C), 7. Elrigh Louw, 6. Marco van Staden, 5. Ruan Nortje, 4. Jason Jenkins, 3. Trevor Nyakane, 2. Johan Grobbelaar, 1. Jacques van Rooyen.
Bulls Replacements: 16. Joe van Zyl, 17. Gerhard Steenekamp, 18. Marcel van der Merwe, 19. Sintu Manjezi, 20. Nizaam Carr, 21. Embrose Papier, 22. Chris Smith, 23. Marco Jansen van Vuren.
