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Six Boks back for Bulls

rugby10 April 2019 14:15| © SuperSport
By:Brenden Nel
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Jesse Kriel © Gallo Images

The Vodacom Bulls chose to rest Springbok No 8 Duane Vermeulen, but brought back no less than six Springbok players as they made eight changes to the side that lost to the Jaguares for their Vodacom Super Rugby clash against the Reds at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.

Vermeulen gets the week off as per the agreement with the Springbok team, but there are returns for Jesse Kriel, Handre Pollard, Marco van Staden, Warrick Gelant, RG Snyman and Ivan van Zyl for the game as the Bulls shifted their team around after losing their second home game of the season last weekend.

Paul Schoeman is in at No 8 while Hanro Liebenberg moves back to seven, with Jannes Kirsten swopping with him and moving into lock. Snyman is back in his normal five lock position. Gelant replaces Divan Rossouw, Kriel is in for Dylan Sage and Pollard replaces Manie Libbok.

Van Staden comes in for the injured Ruan Steenkamp while on the bench Roelof Smit, who has struggled with injury over the last year or so, will also make his return to the side.

"Yes it is the same as Jesse (Kriel) and Polly (Handre Pollard) last week. He can’t play this week and he will be back for the Stormers game," Human said on Vermeulen’s rest.

"There are some Boks that Rassie asked us to rest for four games, and that means two weeks where they will train with us but not play on the Saturday and two weeks where they are given totally off. I have to see where I can manage that in what is best for the team and the player."

Human was happy to have his Springboks back in the side.

"For sure, last week it was a bitter one for us. I thought we had them and we lost it in the last 10 minutes but to have Jesse, Polly, Warrick (Gelant), Marco (van Staden) all back it is really great for us, especially with this home game on Saturday."

He explained that the move to swop Kirsten and Liebenberg was one that was suited to the opposition.

"Jannes is a workhorse and he will mean a lot to us at lock, especially with Jason Jenkins out. Paul Schoeman comes in because we also lost Tim Agaba to injury during practice on Tuesday."

Human wants a solid victory on Saturday but is wary of a Reds side that he believes is better than many people give credit to.

"They are a good side, they will come with the forwards and have a good all-round pack. They will play a 15 man game and try and run us off our feet but I think we had a great week again and I'm looking forward to it, especially at Loftus.

"There were so many opportunities we didn't take last week. We have to finish. I'm sure with Polly back at 10 can organise that for us and we can score some tries on Saturday."

The Bulls need the victory to keep them on track in the South African conference and in the running for a possible playoff spot.

Vodacom Bulls: (with VSR caps and points) is: Warrick Gelant (38, 65), Johnny Kotze (37, 45), Jesse Kriel (67, 95), Burger Odendaal (47, 20), Jade Stighling (3, 5), Handré Pollard (c; 52, 535), Ivan van Zyl (24, 0), Paul Schoeman (25, 35), Hanro Liebenberg (35, 15), Marco van Staden (16, 10), RG Snyman (39, 10), Jannes Kirsten (23, 10), Trevor Nyakane (98, 15), Jaco Visagie (37, 5), Lizo Gqoboka (44, 10).

Replacements: Corniel Els (7, 0), Simphiwe Matanzima (7, 0), Wiehan Herbst (40, 0), Thembelani Bholi, (34, 5) Roelof Smit (25, 15), Embrose Papier (17, 5), Manie Libbok (11, 28), Divan Rossouw (17, 15).

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