“We have made seven changes with one positional switch as we continue on our journey of being a team that continues to play with any one of our players, anywhere in the park. There are a few things we have seen with the Griquas so we are looking for a massive point of entry once more this week with the selection we have made” comments Phiwe Nomlomo on his matchday 23 for round 8 Carling Currie Cup.
Amongst the changes made by Nomlomo is Tielman Nieuwoudt who returns to partner up with Joe van Zyl who has been on an impressive run of form this campaign, with Mornay Smith completing the front row. Cyle Brink starts at lock alongside Jannes Kirsten as skipper, Nizaam Carr shifts to flank alongside Mihlali Mosi with Celimpilo ka Gumede starting at eight.
“We are looking for a bit more and we wanted to play with a bit more loosies and we were able to do that this weekend as we go deep into the competition,” Nomlomo adds.
On Griquas: “They have nothing to lose and I foresee them throwing the kitchen sink at us and might look to hold on to the ball a lot more and look to ask us a lot of good questions, trying to force us to make a lot of tackles which will make for an exciting game for all of us on the stands.”
Keagan Johannes who impressed with his veiled kicking proclivity in round seven is retained at scrumhalf, pairing up with Jaco van der Walt at flyhalf. Behind the halfbacks will be Stravino Jacobs at left wing with the Smit’s retained at the centre, respectively. Henry Immelman returns to the mix and will get a run at right wing with Devon Williams at fullback.
The impact squad sees Juann Else, Dylan Smith, Khuthazani Mchunu, Sintu Manjezi, Merwe Olivier, Bernard van der Linde, Boeta Chamberlain, Katlego Letebele all assembled and on standby for duty.
Speaking about Letebele, Nomlomo says: “He is one hell of a good kid, smiles a lot, asks all the good questions and you can see he is happy to be in the squad. We will look to use him differently this weekend. He ran at wing on debut but he is a genuine outside centre and I am hoping we will get to see him run at centre,”
“His adaptation has been seamless and that probably speaks to what he has been doing at the SVNS environment. We are looking for outside backs who have a massive work rate and can cover a lot of mileage on the park and get touches on the ball, that is what is exciting about him. He also understands us and what we want to get done, he is a natural (Vodacom) Bulls at heart which makes it easy to have him a part of the system.”
VODACOM BULLS vs SUZUKI GRIQUAS STARTING XV: 1. Tielman Nieuwoudt, 2. Joe van Zyl, 3. Mornay Smith, 4. Cyle Brink, 5. Jannes Kirsten, 6. Nizaam Carr (c), 7. Mihlali Mosi, 8. Celimpilo Gumede, 9. Keagan Johannes, 10. Jaco van der Walt, 11. Stravino Jacobs, 12. Chris Barend Smit, 13. Cornel Smit, 14. Henry Immelman, 15. Devon Williams
VODACOM BULLS IMPACT SQUAD: 16. Juann Else, 17. Dylan Smith, 18. Khuthazani Mchunu, 19. Sintu Manjezi, 20. Merwe Olivier, 21. Bernard van der Linde, 22. Boeta Chamberlain, 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
