Gqoboka back for Bulls

Springbok prop Lizo Gqoboka returns to the Vodacom Blue Bulls starting line-up this weekend as they face the Cell C Sharks in their final Currie Cup clash at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria.

Gqoboka and Marco van Staden both rejoin the Bulls from the Springboks after playing against Argentina last weekend, and will be key figures in the Bulls quest to try and sneak into the semis.

The rest of the squad is the same as the one that beat the Lions a fortnight ago in Johannesburg. Blue Bulls coach Pote Human was overjoyed to have the Bok prop back in the team.

Vodacom Blue Bulls team announcement vs the Cell C Sharks#BullsFamily #CurrieCupReloaded #VBBvSHA@DirectAxis pic.twitter.com/Lt5O9dx4g5

— Official Blue Bulls (@BlueBullsRugby) August 21, 2019

"It's awesome for us, he just lifted the entire spirit in the camp. He has another vibe. He is very disappointed at not making the World Cup squad, but he will make the most of this. Who knows? He may prove somebody wrong and maybe get a call-up if someone gets injured," Human said.

"I think he has been good since Super Rugby. He started all the games in Super Rugby and he and Trevor (Nyakane) did well. Starting all the games in Super Rugby is unheard of. I think he did well even if he got minimum time. I really rate him very highly. He is unlucky to miss out on the World Cup but you can only take 31 players. I'm sure he will do his best for us on Saturday.

"He was very good in training, he showed a lot of hunger and for us it is great to have him back again."

Human also welcomed back Van Staden, who replaces Fred Eksteen, the latter who was suspended until 31 August for the red card he received in the Lions game.

"Marco, in the back of his mind, knew he would come back. He is raring to go and wants to prove a point. He knows there are many good loose forwards in South Africa, but he will get his chance. He is still a youngster and I believe he will get his chance later in life."

Human said while there were many permutations in the final round of games this weekend, the Bulls could only concentrate on putting in a decent performance to end the regular season on a high note.

"There are many permutations. If WP get two points we are out, if the Sharks get two points we are out. We need to beat the Sharks with a big score and they can't get a bonus point. For us, we just want to do our best, it is our last game and we want to finish off on a high note. We all know it hasn't been a great Currie Cup campaign for us. We want to finish off at Loftus on a high note.

"It is all or nothing and the Bulls have been in this sort of position before. I believe the guys will give everything on Saturday, but it won't be easy. The Sharks are defending champions and need to win this one to make the semis as well, so it will be a great game and a massive challenge for us."

Vodacom Blue Bulls: Divan Rossouw, Cornal Hendricks, Johnny Kotze, Dylan Sage, Rosko Specman, Manie Libbok, Ivan van Zyl (capt), Tim Agaba, Wian Vosloo, Marco van Staden, Ruan Nortje, Andries Ferreira, Wiehahn Herbst, Johan Grobbelaar, Lizo Gqoboka.

Replacements: Corne Els, Dayan van der Westhuizen, Conraad van Vuuren, Jean Droste, Ruan Steenkamp, Embrose Papier, Vaughen Isaacs, Stedman Gans.