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Pollard returns as Bulls ring changes

rugby05 June 2019 08:15| © SuperSport
By:Brenden Nel
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Handre Pollard © Gallo Images

Springbok flyhalf Handre Pollard’s return to the Vodacom Bulls side has coincided with him taking the captaincy, as coach Pote Human was forced into several changes in their must-win Vodacom Super Rugby match against the Highlanders on Friday.

Human made five changes and two positional shifts to the side that drew last week with the Blues in Auckland, as the Bulls focused their attention on winning their last two games to ensure they make the playoffs of the competition.

Divan Rossouw comes in for Warrick Gelant, who picked up a hamstring strain during the week while Johnny Kotze moves to wing to cover for the loss of Rosko Specman, who also has a hamstring strain.

Dylan Sage moves into the midfield to replace Kotze, while there is a new halfback combination with Pollard back and taking over the captaincy, while Embrose Papier rotates back into the starting line-up.

Marco van Staden moves to eight to cover the loss of Paul Schoeman, while Ruan Steenkamp is in the pack to fill the void left. On the bench SA under-20 hooker Johan Grobbelaar will cover flank, with the Bulls not having another loose forward available, and at a push Schalk Brits can cover the position as well.

Coach Pote Human believes the return of Pollard, and the Bulls eagerness to make the playoff rounds, will inspire a decent performance this week.

“I think Polly’s return will give the guys a massive boost, we know it’s a make or break game and we need to perform,” Human said in a teleconference announcing his team.

“We know it is in our own hands and we know the Highlanders aren’t an easy team to play, but it is up to us to make our own luck.”

Human said the pressure of the final two weeks was telling, but it is was something they were embracing at the moment.

“It is never easy to play under this pressure, the players feel it, but we know we can make it a great season or we can throw it away on Friday night. It is very important for us to perform and for that reason I’ve challenged the guys to score tries as their mission this weekend, because we won’t beat the Highlanders if we don’t score tries.”

The match kicks off at 9.35am on Friday.

Vodacom Bulls: Divan Rossouw, Cornal Hendricks, Dylan Sage, Burger Odendaal, Johnny Kotze, Handre Pollard (captain), Embrose Papier, Marco van Staden, Hanro Liebenberg, Ruan Steenkamp, RG Snyman, Jason Jenkins, Trevor Nyakane, Schalk Brits, Lizo Gqoboka.

Replacements: Jaco Visagie, Simphiwe Matanzima, Wiehahn Herbst, Jannes Kirsten, Johan Grobbelaar, Ivan van Zyl, Manie Libbok, JT Jackson.

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