Powerful Vodacom Bulls team named for Rainbow Cup opener

The Vodacom Bulls welcome back a wealth of experience as Director of Rugby Jake White named his matchday squad to battle the Emirates Lions at Loftus Versfeld on 1 May 2021.

The backs are headlined by new recruit James Verity-Amm who gets his first opportunity in the #TrueToTheBlue jersey at fullback while Madosh Tambwe and Stravino Jacobs will do duty on the wings.

Marco Jansen van Vuren links up with Springbok Cornal Hendricks in the midfield with Chris Smith entrusted with organising the backline at flyhalf alongside Springbok scrumhalf Embrose Papier.

Nizaam Carr continues as captain in the absence of fellow Springbok Duane Vermeulen while the flank duo of Elrigh Louw and Marco van Staden will undoubtedly cause havoc for their Jukskei neighbours.

The front row is one of raw talent as Mornay Smith and Gerhard Steenekamp will prop up hooker Johan Grobbelaar.

The replacement bench is not short of experience either as Springbok prop Lizo Gqoboka and the Policeman, Jacques van Rooyen, will bring fresh legs to the forward pack alongside lock Walt Steenkamp and Springbok loose forward Arno Botha.

“We have continued to test combinations as knowing this assists in us in getting the best out of every individual and I’m looking forward to watching them gel together on Saturday against a formidable Lions’ outfit,” said White.

Kick-off is scheduled for 19:00 with the match being televised live on SuperSport.

Vodacom Bulls: 15. James Verity-Amm (Pretoria), 14. Madosh Tambwe (Pretoria), 13. Marco Jansen van Vuren (Pretoria), 12. Cornal Hendricks (Northam), 11. Stravino Jacobs (Harlequins), 10. Chris Smith (Harlequins), 9. Embrose Papier (Tukkies), 8. Nizaam Carr (Centurion), 7. Elrigh Louw (Tukkies), 6. Marco van Staden (Pretoria), 5. Ruan Nortje (Naka Bulle), 4. Janko Swanepoel (Pretoria), 3. Mornay Smith (Centurion), 2. Johan Grobbelaar (Tukkies), 1. Gerhard Steenekamp (Harlequins).

 

Replacements: 16. Joe van Zyl (Harlequins), 17. Lizo Gqoboka (Naka Bulle), 18. Jacques van Rooyen (Tuine), 19. Walt Steenkamp (Centurion), 20. Arno Botha (Naka Bulle), 21. Zak Burger (Tuine), 22. Morné Steyn (Tuine), 23. David Kriel, 24. Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 25. Reinhardt Ludwig, 26. Tim Agaba (Tukkies), 27. Diego Appollis (Naka Bulle).