Vodacom Bulls run-on team unchanged for Brumbies

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Vodacom Bulls coach Nollis Marais named an unchanged team to face the Brumbies in the GIO Stadium in Canberra on Friday in his side’s second match of their Australian trip. The Bulls started their tour with a solid win over the Force in Perth last Friday.

There is one change on the bench, with Dan Kriel getting his first run on tour and Dries Swanepoel dropping out of match day squad.

Jason Jenkins has not recovered from his niggle and was not considered, but Bjorn Basson overcame an ankle sprain and is fit to face the Australians.

“We had a good start and I was pleased with the way we played in Perth, but it all begin again this week,” Marais said.

“The Brumbies are one of the powerhouse teams in Australia and will ask different questions to our attack and defence. They are playing good rugby and we need to be sharp. I am pleased that we have the same team, as it means that we will go into the match with some consistency and momentum.”

Vodacom Bulls captain, Adriaan Strauss, confirmed his team’s goals for this tour.

“We did play well last weekend, but we cannot really afford to sit back and enjoy that as the Brumbies will be coming at us from the start. Canberra can be a difficult place to play, but we have won there before. The team are gelling nicely and I am looking forward to a good match where we will try to be competitive in all aspects of play. The Brumbies are going to test all aspects of our play, so we need to be ready to front up.”

The match starts at 11h45 SA time on Friday.

The team (with number of Super Caps) is: SP Marais (39), Travis Ismaiel (12), Jesse Kriel (24), Jan Serfontein (44), Bjorn Basson (92), Francois Brummer (13), Piet van Zyl (61), Hanro Liebenberg (6), Arno Botha (40), Lappies Labuschagne (43), RG Snyman (8), Marvin Orie (5), Marcel van der Merwe (41), Adriaan Strauss (126, c), Trevor Nyakane (66). Replacements: Bandise Maku (54), Lizo Gqoboka (7), Werner Kruger (116), Jannes Kirsten (8), Roelof Smit (10), Rudy Paige (28), Tian Schoeman (15), Dan Kriel (2).