Bulls set for a true test as Pumas bring firepower to Loftus Versfeld

The Bulls will have a clear view of how their Currie Cup campaign is going after Saturday’s match against the more seasoned Pumas in Pretoria.

It’s expected that they will receive a sterner test from the Nelspruit side and their battle-hardened players at Loftus Versfeld (5pm start) after two relatively easy games against Western Province and the Sharks.

Head coach Phiwe Nomlomo has selected a squad that mixes experience with youth, although he has lost a few seniors who were recalled to the United Rugby Championship (URC) squad.

Centre Stedman Gans and tighthead Francois Klopper had to be replaced after joining the senior URC side. The likes of No 8 Jeandre Rudolph, flanker Junior Pokomela, scrumhalf and captain Zak Burger, replacement loosehead prop Lizo Gqoboka and the lock pairing of Marvin Orie and Sintu Manjezi still bring vast experience to the team.

James Winstanley, assistant coach, said they are expecting a fierce contest in the set piece against the Pumas. The experience up front should be worth gold for the home side as they brace for the duel.

“They are a really well-oiled team that has been proficient over several years, and they have great cohesion, continuity and a blueprint that works for them on the field,” he said.

“However, they will be disappointed with last week (losing to the Cheetahs). We will have our first opportunity against a much older, experienced SA Cup qualifier. So, we foresee a much more difficult game on Saturday.

“We played against two youthful sides, but this next block of games looks very different against SA Cup sides. There is no point in dwelling on what has happened (in the first two matches). We were suitably prepared for them. Now, we enter a totally different challenge. After this match, we will know where we stand with our season”

Burger takes over the captaincy from flanker Nama Xaba, who is nursing a minor injury. Powerful winger Stravino Jacobs is also on the sidelines, but according to Winstanley, it is only minor niggles, and the duo should be back in action next weekend.

Loose forward JJ Theron will make his first start, and it will be interesting to see how the Junior Bok star goes against more seasoned players. Former Grey College prop Casper Badenhorst and Selborne College old boy Daimon O’Connell, a scrumhalf, could make their debuts off the replacement bench.

“We are pleased with how Zak has conducted himself during the campaign, and he was the obvious choice as captain for this game. He has been really involved with our program and helping the younger players. He is the right fit.”

Bulls: 15 Boeta Chamberlain, 14 Katlego Letebele, 13 Cornel Smit, 12 Chris Smit, 11 Aphiwe Dyantyi, 10 Jaco van der Walt, 9 Zak Burger (c), 8 Jeandre Rudolph, 7 JJ Theron, 6 Junior Pokomela, 5 Marvin Orie, 4 Sintu Manjezi, 3 Jean Erasmus, 2 Juann Else, 1 Dylan Smith.

Replacements: 16 Esethu Mnebelele, 17 Lizo Gqoboka, 18 Casper Badenhorst, 19 Dylan de Leeuw, 20 Jaco Grobbelaar, 21 Marco Ferreira, 22 Daimon O’Connell, 23 PA van Niekerk