PHYSICAL BUENOS AIRES BATTLE AWAITS VODACOM BULLS

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The last match of the weekend will be played in Buenos Aires, between the Jaguares and the Vodacom Bulls where a very physical battle is expected and Cornal Hendricks will be making an emotional return to Vodacom Super Rugby action as replacement for Johnny Kotze (meningitis).

 

Hendriks, the former Springbok wing, will play his first Vodacom Super Rugby match since 2015, when he was forced out of action due to illness. Saturday’s battle in Buenos Aires will see him complete his comeback to top-flight action.

 

The Pretoria side got their swagger back following their sublime win over the DHL Stormers at Loftus and the late-evening tie in South America has all the makings of a fascinating clash.

 

Each of the previous four meetings in this fixture has been won by the home team on the day, with each side having won twice. The Argentine franchise want to avoid back-to-back losses on home soil for the first time since March 2018 after their defeat to the Emirates Lions last week.

 

What they said:

Vodacom Bulls coach Pote Human is expecting a fiery backlash from the Jaguares, especially after they lost to the Emirates Lions in their opening game: “It’s going to be tough especially if the crowd gets behind them and they come with their passion. I think we played the right game plan against the Stormers and if we can continue on that, we can do well.”

 

Jaguares: TBA

 

Vodacom Bulls: 15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Cornal Hendricks, 13 Jessie Kriel, 12 Burger Odendaal, 11 Rosko Specman, 10 Handre Pollard, 9 Embrose Papier, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Hanro Liebenberg, 6 Ruan Steenkamp, 5 Lood de Jager (captain), 4 Jason Jenkins, 3 Trevor Nyakane, 2 Schalk Brits, 1 Lizo Gqoboka. Replacements: 16 Corniel Els, 17 Simphiwe Matanzima, 18 Dayan van der Westhuizen, 19 Eli Snyman, 20 Thembelani Bholi, 21 Ivan van Zyl, 22 Manie Libbok, 23 Dylan Sage.

 

Head to head:

Played: 4

Jaguares won: 2

Vodacom Bulls won: 2

Jaguares points: 130

Vodacom Bulls points: 104

Average score: 33-26

 

Match information:

Date: Saturday 23 February

SA time: 23h40

Venue: Jose Amalfitani Stadium, Buenos Aires

Referee: Brendon Pickerill

Assistant referees: Rasta Rasivhenge, Mike Fraser

Television Match Official: Santiago Borsani

TV: SuperSport1