World Cup-winning Springbok Canan Moodie and Junior Springbok of the Year Corné Beets both return to the matchday 23 to bolster the Vodacom Bulls ahead of the 2024 Carling Currie Cup Jukskei derby at Midstream College on Friday 30 August 2024.
This grandiloquent celebration of back-to-school rugby – against the Fidelity ADT Lions – is set for 17h15 in Olifantsfontein and will be played out in front of a sold-out crowd.
Head coach Phiwe Nomlomo has shuffled his forward pack which sees Dylan Smith, Joe van Zyl and uMacingwane u Khuthazani ka Mchunu lining up at the front row. Behind the trio will be the lock pairing of Cyle Brink and Sintu Manjezi who gets a run at five this week. Skipper, Nizaam Carr will be at six flank alongside Beets who returns from injury. uMnguni kaYeyeye u Celimpilo ka Gumede – who was player of the match in round 8 – completes the forward pack at eight.
At half-back, ‘el maestro’ Bernard van der Linde (scrumhalf) will be paired up alongside Jaco van der Walt who slots into flyhalf.
‘Rocketman’ Stravino Jacobs will run at left wing with Springbok Sevens star, Katlego Letebele getting the opportunity to run on the right-hand side of the park. Fellow international, Canan Moodie will marshal the troops from fullback with Chris Barend Smit and Cornel Smit at centre.
Nomlomo has assembled a six-two split impact squad that features Juann Else, Tielman Nieuwoudt, Mornay Smith, Jannes Kirsten, Merwe Olivier, Keagan Johannes, Lionel Mapoe and Mihlali Mosi.
VODACOM BULLS vs FIDELITY ADT LIONS STARTING XV: 1. Dylan Smith, 2. Joe van Zyl, 3. Khuthazani ‘Khutha’ Mchunu, 4. Cyle Brink, 5. Sintu Manjezi, 6. Nizaam Carr (c), 7. Corné Beets, 8. Celimpilo ‘Mpilo’ Gumede, 9. Bernard van der Linde, 10. Jaco van der Walt, 11. Stravino Jacobs, 12. Chris Barend Smit, 13. Cornel Smit, 14. Katlego Letebele, 15. Canan Moodie
VODACOM BULLS IMPACT SQUAD: 16. Juann Else, 17. Tielman Nieuwoudt, 18. Mornay Smith, 19. Jannes Kirsten, 20. Merwe Olivier, 21. Keagan Johannes, 22. Lionel Mapoe, 23. Mihlali Mosi
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. Herman Rossouw – 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
