The Bulls play their first competitive match since an overhaul at the franchise, as they lock horns with the Griquas in their Super Rugby Unlocked opener at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.
Bulls vs Griquas: Super Rugby Unlocked preview
After a rough start to the Super Rugby season, there have been a number of changes made to both the playing and technical staff at the Tshwane outfit.
World Cup-winning coach, Jake White has been brought on as director of rugby, while the likes of Gio Aplon, Arno Botha and Jason Jenkins made their way to Loftus.
All three will start on Saturday, while regular skipper Duane Vermeulen has been handed an early rest.
Botha will skipper the side in place of the veteran loose forward, starting alongside fellow Bok, Marco van Staden and Sevens star Tim Agaba.
The backline is an exciting mix of youth and experience, with the likes of Morne Steyn, Aplon and Cornal Hendricks in with years behind them, while Stedman Gans makes a rare appearance in top-level fifteens rugby.
The Griquas camp is not short of valuable experience, with flyhalf George Whitehead and winger Anthony Volmink coming in with some Super Rugby miles in their tank.
Teams
Bulls: 15 Gio Aplon, 14 Travis Ismaiel, 13 Stedman Gans, 12 Cornal Hendricks, 11 David Kriel; 10 Morne Steyn, 9 Ivan van Zyl; 8 Tim Agaba, 7 Arno Botha (captain), 6 Marco van Staden, 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Jason Jenkins, 3 Trevor Nyakane, 2 Corniel Els, 1 Jacques van Rooyen.
Replacements: 16 Johan Grobbelaar, 17 Lizo Gqoboka, 18 Mornay Smith, 19 Sintu Manjezi, 20 Elrigh Louw, 21 Embrose Papier, 22 Chris Smith, 23 Marco Jansen van Vuren.
Non-playing subs: Jan Uys, Duane Vermeulen, Jade Stighling.
Bulls: 15 Anthony Volmink, 14 Daniel Kasende, 13 Harlon Klaasen, 12 Andre Swarts, 11 James Verity-Amm, 10 George Whitehead (c), 9 Zak Burger, 8 Niell Jordaan, 7 Stefan Willemse, 6 Carl Els, 5 Victor Sekekete, 4 Ian Groenewald, 3 John-Roy Jenkinson, 2 HJ Luus, 1 Mox Mxoli.
Replacements: 16 Alandre van Rooyen, 17 Bandisa Ndlovu, 18 Madot Mabokela, 19 Adre Smith, 20 Zandre Jordaan, 21 Gideon van der Merwe, 22 Ashlon Davids, 23 Berton Klaasen, 24 Mzwanele Zito, 25 Johan Momsen, 26 Bjorn Basson
Pumas standby reserves: 24 HP van Schoor (standby), 25 Fiela Boshoff (standby).
Kick-off time: 17:00
Venue: Loftus Versfeld
TV stream: Supersport Grandstand
