Cornal Hendricks will start on the wing when the Vodacom Bulls host the Sharks in a crucial Vodacom United Rugby Championship clash in Pretoria on Saturday.
Bulls head coach Jake White has made just three changes to the starting lineup, from the side that claimed a win over the Lions last weekend.
Two of those are in the backline as David Kriel replaces Kurt-Lee Arendse at fullback, while the experienced Hendricks comes into the starting lineup for rookie wing Canan Moodie.
Loosehead prop Gerhard Steenekamp is the only new face in the pack that started against the Lions last week. He changes places with Simphiwe Matanzima in a rotational switch, as the former makes his way to the bench.
“The Sharks are always a formidable opponent, and we will have to be at our best when we face a side that is so full of talent,” said White.
“For us to face a team with the SA Rugby Player of the Year, Siya Kolisi is a challenge we should look forward to. Furthermore, it is also inspirational to be able to play a domestic derby against the captain of the national team who also collects all of these accolades for his performance on and off the field.
“It certainly is inspiring that we have players of his calibre who choose to remain and play for domestic franchises when he could easily take up a contract elsewhere.
“This will be a great opportunity for youngsters like Elrigh Louw to be able to go up against an inspirational character like Siya. Then you also have players like Lukhanyo Am, Makazole Mapimpi, Bongi Mbonambi and a host of others in that Sharks team whom our guys will want to measure themselves against in a premier competition like the United Rugby Championship.”
Bulls – 15 David Kriel, 14 Cornal Hendricks, 13 Lionel Mapoe, 12 Harold Vorster, 11 Madosh Tambwe, 10 Morné Steyn, 9 Zak Burger ; 8 Elrigh Louw, 7 Arno Botha, 6 Marcell Coetzee (c), 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Walt Steenkamp, 3 Jacques van Rooyen, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 1 Gerhard Steenekamp.
Subs: 16 Bismarck du Plessis, 17 Simphiwe Matanzima, 18 Robert Hunt, 19 Janko Swanepoel, 20 Muller Uys, 21 Embrose Papier, 22 Chris Smith, 23 Canan Moodie.
Photo: Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
