The Vodacom Bulls will again debut a youngster in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship when they front the Lions in Johannesburg on Saturday.
Canan Moodie, 19, who was vice-captain of the Bulls Under-20 side last year, is set to start on the wing at Ellis Park as the only uncapped player in the Bulls’ starting XV. The youngster recently made his Currie Cup debut against Western Province, scoring a try.
He will follow in the footsteps of teenage flank/lock Reinhardt Ludwig, who was a surprise inclusion in the team to face the Stormers last week.
Moodie will be surrounded by a wealth of experience in the backline, which includes veteran Springbok flyhalf Morné Steyn returning to the starting team alongside scrumhalf Embrose Papier, while Harold Vorster and Lionel Mapoe man the midfield. Kurt-Lee Arendse starts at fullback with Madosh Tambwe on the left wing.
Marcell Coetzee is also back to lead the side after coming off the bench in last week’s loss against the Stormers.
There are changes to the front row as Simphiwe Matanzima dons the No 1 jersey and Jacques van Rooyen starts at tighthead prop while Johan Grobbelaar retains the No 2 jumper.
“The Lions showed good fight in their match against the Sharks last weekend. We have no doubts that they will want to build from that and go one better in search of a win in their own back yard this weekend,” said Bulls director of rugby, Jake White.
“It is always a tough, physical battle against the Lions. They are a well-coached side that will throw everything at us. We are looking forward to another exciting URC encounter.”
The match between the Lions and Bulls kicks off at 3pm, and will be televised on SuperSport.
Bulls – 15 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 14 Canan Moodie, 13 Lionel Mapoe, 12 Harold Vorster, 11 Madosh Tambwe , 10 Morné Steyn, 9 Embrose Papier; 8 Elrigh Louw, 7 Arno Botha, 6 Marcell Coetzee (c), 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Walt Steenkamp, 3 Jacques van Rooyen, 2 Johan Grobbelaa, 1 Simphiwe Matanzima.
Subs: 16 Bismarck du Plessis, 17 Lizo Gqoboka, 18 Robert Hunt, 19 Janko Swanepoel, 20 Muller Uys, 21 Zak Burger, 22 Chris Smith, 23 David Kriel.
Photo: EJ Langner/Gallo Images
