0
Jaco Pretorius is back as the outside centre for the Vodacom Bulls for their tour-opening clash against the Western Force in Perth on Saturday.
Pretorius replaces Stephan Dippenaar in the 13 jersey to resume a very profitable midfield combination with fellow Springbok Wynand Olivier in the only change to the side that beat the Hurricanes last weekend in Pretoria.
Pretorius last played in the opening week of the Vodacom Super 14 and was injured in the win over the Vodacom Cheetahs.
Dippenaar took his place and stood his ground well, with the 22 year old scoring his first try of the competition against the Waratahs.
“It is great to have Jaco back,” coach Frans Ludeke said in announcing the team.
“He is one of the senior players and offer us a lot, especially on attack. I am very happy with Stephan, as he took his chances well when given the opportunity. It is good to know we have that kind of depth in the squad.”
Ludeke indicated that Fourie du Preez will be fit to start after injury worries early in the week.
The Vodacom Bulls team (with Super caps) is:
Zane Kirchner (31), Gerhard van den Heever (9), Jaco Pretorius (22), Wynand Olivier (62), Francois Hougaard (8), Mornè Steyn (63), Fourie du Preez (90), Pierre Spies (46), Dewald Potgieter (22), Deon Stegmann (30), Victor Matfield (100), Danie Rossouw (93), Werner Kruger (33), Gary Botha (64), Gurthrö Steenkamp. Replacements: Bandise Maku (12), Bees Roux (21), Flip van der Merwe (11), Derick Kuün (47), Jacques-Louis Potgieter (22), Jaco van der Westhuyzen (48), Pedrie Wannenburg (103).
Notables:
# It will be the first time ever that the Bulls have two centurions (Victor Matfield and Pedrie Wannenburg) in the match 22.
# Matfield will lead the Bulls for the 52nd time in Super Rugby, equaling Cornè Krige (Stormers) record in this regard.
# All of the Bulls backline have scored tries in 2010.
# Mornè Steyn was the first player to score 100 points in the 2010 competition. He has scored 106 points so far and 600 in Super Rugby.
# Werner Kruger scored the last of his 3 Super 14 tries against the Western Force last year.
# 12 players were also involved in the Bulls last visit to Perth, which the Force won 15-14.
Reply With Quote
