Vodacom Bulls ring changes for Toyota Cheetahs

Vodacom Bulls Director of Rugby, Jake White, has made several changes to his matchday squad for their round two Carling Currie Cup clash with the Toyota Cheetahs in Pretoria on Saturday, when the depth of their backline will be tested, while the forwards will also sport a few new faces.

The match at Loftus Versfeld kicks off at 16h30 and will be broadcast live on SuperSport.

Kurt-Lee Arendse and David Kriel switch to fullback and right wing respectively, with Marco Jansen van Vuren earning his first start on the left wing.

There is a new halfback pairing as Morné Steyn returns to flyhalf, while Embrose Papier will be manning his inside channel at scrumhalf.

Amongst the forwards, Sintu Manjezi (lock) will start his first match - against his former team-mates - after several appearances off the bench, while the front row sees two changes, both at prop, with Marcel van der Merwe and Gerhard Steenekamp getting a start.

Sintu Manjezi in action for the Toyota Cheetahs

Steenekamp's start at loosehead was down to the one-week ban handed to Jacques van Rooyen after he was shown a red card in their victory over DHL Western Province last weekend.

The bench has seen changes as well, with Jan-Hendrik Wessels (prop) on the brink of making his Vodacom Bulls and Carling Currie Cup debut.

Trevor Nyakane and Ruan Nortje will provide cover at prop and lock respectively.

Former Junior Springbok centre Marnus Potgieter is also set for his competition and team debut as he rounds out the backline replacements alongside Ivan van Zyl and Chris Smith - the starting halfbacks in the Vodacom Bulls' last two matches.

"The Cheetahs are the only team to have beaten us in the last round, so we are truly looking forward to this one. I’m also excited about the changes we have made to our team, and I’m keen to see our new combinations," said White.

Vodacom Bulls: 15 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 14 David Kriel, 13 Stedman Gans, 12 Cornal Hendricks, 11 Marco Jansen van Vuren, 10 Morné Steyn, 9 Embrose Papier, 8 Duane Vermeulen (captain), 7 Arno Botha, 6 Marco van Staden, 5 Walt Steenkamp, 4 Sintu Manjezi, 3 Marcel van der Merwe, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 1 Gerhard Steenekamp. Replacements: 16 Corniel Els, 17 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 18 Trevor Nyakane, 19 Ruan Nortje, 20 Nizaam Carr, 21 Ivan van Zyl, 22 Chris Smith, 23 Marnus Potgieter.

Match information – Vodacom Bulls v Toyota Cheetahs
Date: Saturday, 5 December 2020
Time: 16h30
Venue: Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
Referee: Jaco Peyper
Assistant Referees: Aimee Barrett-Theron, Paul Mente
TMO: Johan Greeff
TV: SuperSport Rugby and Grandstand

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