Loose forward Hanro Liebenberg has been appointed as Blue Bulls captain for this year’s Currie Cup.

Coach Pote Human’s 50-man squad includes Springbok duo Marnitz Boshoff and Jamba Ulengo, Blitzboks pair Heino Bezuidenhout and Stedman Gans, as well as former Cheetahs players Boom Prinsloo and Paul Schoeman.

Players who will make their senior debut for the Bulls are Earll Dowrie and Mornay Smit, who performed well in the Provincial Rugby Challenge, while youngsters Josh Aldermann and Reagan Oranje are promoted from the junior ranks.

Carel du Plessis, Dan Kasende and Viktor Sekekete have been included in the group on a trial period.

Seven players – RG Snyman, Trevor Nyakane, Marco van Staden, Jesse Kriel, Embrose Papier, Handré Pollard and Ivan van Zyl – are unavailable for selection because they are on national duty with the Springboks, while three others – Jason Jenkins, Jannes Kirsten and Burger Odendaal – will miss the Currie Cup due to their club commitments in Japan.

Gerhard Steenkamp, Tim Agaba, Lizo Gqoboka, Roelof Smit, Nqoba Mxoli, Travis Ismaiel and Warrick Gelant were not considered for selection due to long-term injuries.

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Blue Bulls squad – Divan Rossouw, Earll Douwrie, Duncan Matthews, Jamba Ulengo, Xolisa Guma, Irvin Ali, JT Jackson, Heino Bezuidenhout, Franco Naude, Christopher Hollis, Stedman Gans, Jade Stighling, Johnny Kotze, Marnitz Boshoff, Manie Libbok, Boeta Hamman, Tony Jantjies, Garrick Matthews, Tinus de Beer, Andre Warner, Theo Maree, Josh Allderman, Raegan Oranje, Thembelani Bholi, Denzil Hill, Jano Venter, Abongile Nonkontwana, Hanro Liebenberg (c), Paul Schoeman, Nic de Jager, Ruan Steenkamp, Boom Prinsloo, Roelof Smit, Ryno Pieterse, Hendre Stassen, Ruben van Heerden, Aston Fortuin, Ruan Nortje, Eli Snyman, Matthys Basson, Frans van Wyk, Dayan van der Westhuizen, Conraad van Vuuren, Madot Mabokela, Mornay Smith, Jaco Visagie, Edgar Marutlulle, Johan Grobbelaar, Corniel Els, Jan-Henning Campher.

Photo: Steve Haag/Gallo Images