Bulls unleash exciting midfield pair
by Brenden Nel 08 February 2012, 15:40
The Vodacom Bulls will unleash one of the most promising midfield combinations when they play their pre-season friendly against the Cheetahs in Polokwane on Saturday.
New recruit Johann Sadie will partner SA under-20 midfielder Francois Venter in a combination that could well be a glimpse of the future at the team in a few years' time, as both are considered to be talented and on track to become Springboks.
It will be Sadie’s first appearance in the light blue after making the well-publicised move to Pretoria, while Venter impressed in last year’s Currie Cup season.
The duo are the only non-Springboks in a powerful Bulls backline for the game, as they join the back three of Zane Kirchner, Akona Ndungane and Bjorn Basson behind the halfback pairing of Morne Steyn and Francois Hougaard.
Injuries to captain Pierre Spies (calf) and vice-captain Wynand Olivier (arm) mean they both sit this one out, leaving Chiliboy Ralepelle to captain the side in his hometown of Polokwane.
CJ Stander will continue at No 8 in Spies’s place, linking up with Boks Deon Stegmann and Dewald Potgieter while Werner Kruger’s back strain is a thing of the past. Flip van der Merwe has also been given the go-ahead after a hamstring strain.
ADONGO CALLED UP
Following the excellent win over the Kings in Port Elizabeth, the Bulls have added new recruit Daniel Adongo to their side to face a Free State B side at Loftus Versfeld on Friday afternoon.
The game, which will precede Saturday’s game between the Vodacom Bulls and Free State Cheetahs in Polokwane, will give the effective Vodacom Cup teams of both franchises the opportunity to face off and test some young and up and coming combinations ahead of a long tough season.
Adongo, the Kenyan born giant who will slot on the flank alongside Jean Cook and Shaun Adendorff in a young loose trio, is expected to make an immediate impact on proceedings with his physicality.
The game will also see the return of Bulls stalwart Rayno Gerber to action, after a two-year stint in France, while Pumas recruit Dawie Steyn will also get another opportunity to impress.
Lionel Cronje, who played at 12 last week against the Kings, will move to his more favoured 10 for the match and be partnered by Ruan Snyman at halfback.
The Vodacom Bulls team to play the Cheetahs in Polokwane is: Zane Kirchner*, Akona Ndungane*, Johann Sadie, Francois Venter, Bjorn Basson*, Morné Steyn*, Francois Hougaard*, CJ Stander, Dewald Potgieter*, Deon Stegmann*, Juandré Kruger, Flip van der Merwe*, Werner Kruger*, Chiliboy Ralepelle (capt)*, Dean Greyling*. Replacements: Willie Wepener, Frik Kirsten, Wilhelm Steenkamp, Arno Botha, Jano Vermaak, Louis Fouché, JJ Engelbrecht.
(*denotes Springboks)
Vodacom Bulls B: Jurgen Visser, Sampie Mastriet, Ulrich Beyers, Adri Jacobs, Courtnall Skosan, Lionel Cronjé, Ruan Snyman, Jean Cook, Daniel Adongo, Shaun Adendorff, Cornell Hess, Gerrit-Jan van Velze, Rayno Gerber, Bongi Mbonambi, Dawie Steyn. Replacements: Robbie Coetzee, Louis Alberts, Schalk van Heerden, Victor Hechter, Xander Redelinghuys, Tony Jantjies, William Small-Smith, Travis Ismaiel, Vincent Koch, Marvin Orrie.