Phiwe Nomlomo has recalled the services of skipper Nizaam Carr and Devon Williams ahead of the Vodacom Bulls’ seventh-round Carling Currie Cup fixture against the Airlink Pumas. Carr and Williams were on a much-deserved week-long rest and now return for the trip to Mpumalanga as the herd hunts for playoffs securing points.

Nomlomo’s chargers meet with the side from the land of the rising sun on Friday 16 August, with kick-off set for 17h15.

There is also returns for Chris Barend Smit who will pair up at centre with Cornel Smit who is set for his first Currie Cup appearance for the herd. Junior Springbok vice-captain and Blitzbok Katlego Letebele is poised for his senior Vodacom Bulls debut, forming part of the impact squad. The creative backliner will be hoping to utilise his SVNS experience and pace when his services are called on under the Mbombela lights.

Elsewhere, Dylan Smith will be alongside Joe van Zyl and Mornay Smith in the front row with Jannes Kirsten and Sintu Manjezi behind them at lock. Player of the match in round six, Nama Xaba will be alongside Merwe Olivier at flank with captain Carr at eight.

Keagan Johannes gets a start at scrumhalf, pairing up with flyhalf Boeta Chamberlain at halfback.

Sibongile ‘Eazi’ ka Novuka will get another run to move with celerity at left wing with Springbok ace Canan Moodie shifting to the right wing. The Smits occupy the centre with versatile Devon Williams at fullback.

Juan Else, Jacques van Rooyen, Khuthazani ‘Khutha’ Mchunu, Cyle Brink, Celimpilo ‘Mpilo’ Gumede, Bernard van der Linde, Jaco van der Walt and Letebele all form part of a five-three split impact squad that will be called upon in Nelspruit.

VODACOM BULLS vs AIRLINK PUMAS STARTING XV: 1. Dylan Smith, 2. Joe van Zyl, 3. Mornay Smith, 4. Sintu Manjezi, 5. Jannes Kirsten, 6. Nama Xaba, 7. Merwe Olivier, 8. Nizaam Carr (c), 9. Keagan Johannes, 10. Boeta Chamberlain, 11. Sibongile Novuka, 12. Chris Barend Smit, 13. Cornel Smit, 14. Canan Moodie, 15. Devon Williams

VODACOM BULLS IMPACT SQUAD: 16. Juan Else, 17. Jacques van Rooyen, 18. Khuthazani Mchunu, 19. Cyle Brink, 20. Celimpilo Gumede, 21. Bernard van der Linde, 22. Jaco van der Walt, 23. Katlego Letebele

MANAGEMENT: Jake White – Director of Rugby, Phiwe Nomlomo – Head Coach, Werner Kruger – Forwards Coach, Jean Tiedt – Defence Coach, Kennedy Tsimba – Backline Coach, Justin Kruger – Technical Analyst, Dr. Moshe Magethi – Team Doctor, Darryn Berry and Pieter du Plessis – Physiotherapists, Bernado Botha – Strength & Conditioning, Yusuf Vahed – Sport Scientist, Elias Bennett – Team Manager, Andries Nkabinde – Logistics Manager