Bok veteran to face Stormers as Nyakane makes 100th Super Rugby appearance
24 April 2019 - 18:04
byMahlatse Mphahlele
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
Duane Vermeulen. Picture: CARL FOURIE/GALLO IMAGES
The Bulls have been boosted by the return to action of veteran Springbok No8 Duane Vermeulen for their Super Rugby clash against the Stormers at Newlands in Cape Town on Saturday.
Vermeulen‚ who missed the Bulls last match against the Reds at Loftus before they had a bye last weekend‚ returns to the starting lineup after he was rested as part of an agreement between the franchise and Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus.
He walks straight back into the starting eleven at No8 with Paul Schoeman‚ who started in the win over the Reds‚ dropping to the bench.
The other change on the bench sees Johan Grobbelaar replace Corniel Els as backup hooker and Human hopes the squad can retain some consistency after the bye.
“The last time we had a bye‚ the result was not a good one so we are pretty mindful of that‚” he said. “I don’t think complacency will be a factor‚ at least the guys did not show anything like that at training. It has to do with the fact that we are travelling down to Cape Town‚ a clash with the home side down there is always a massive one for us.”
The fans can look forward to two significant milestones in the match: Boks prop Trevor Nyakane will clock his 100th Super Rugby match, while midfielder Burger Odendaal will run out in his 50th game.
“This shows his [Nyakane's] consistency‚ he plays at a high level week-in and week-out and this is well deserved‚” said Human.
Nyakane will become only the fifth South African prop to become a Super Rugby centurion.
For captain Handré Pollard the trip to the Mother City is important for more than one reason.
“We have been up and down and need to show that we can keep the momentum from last time out‚” Pollard said. “The Stormers are coming off a defeat at home‚ so will be very keen to bounce back.
“They outplayed us last time we went down there and the guys are keen to rectify that result.
“Most importantly though is to show the effort is worth the hard work we put in. We have been our worst enemies at times this season.”
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
Duane Vermeulen return a huge boost for Bulls
Bok veteran to face Stormers as Nyakane makes 100th Super Rugby appearance
The Bulls have been boosted by the return to action of veteran Springbok No8 Duane Vermeulen for their Super Rugby clash against the Stormers at Newlands in Cape Town on Saturday.
Vermeulen‚ who missed the Bulls last match against the Reds at Loftus before they had a bye last weekend‚ returns to the starting lineup after he was rested as part of an agreement between the franchise and Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus.
He walks straight back into the starting eleven at No8 with Paul Schoeman‚ who started in the win over the Reds‚ dropping to the bench.
The other change on the bench sees Johan Grobbelaar replace Corniel Els as backup hooker and Human hopes the squad can retain some consistency after the bye.
“The last time we had a bye‚ the result was not a good one so we are pretty mindful of that‚” he said. “I don’t think complacency will be a factor‚ at least the guys did not show anything like that at training. It has to do with the fact that we are travelling down to Cape Town‚ a clash with the home side down there is always a massive one for us.”
The fans can look forward to two significant milestones in the match: Boks prop Trevor Nyakane will clock his 100th Super Rugby match, while midfielder Burger Odendaal will run out in his 50th game.
“This shows his [Nyakane's] consistency‚ he plays at a high level week-in and week-out and this is well deserved‚” said Human.
Nyakane will become only the fifth South African prop to become a Super Rugby centurion.
For captain Handré Pollard the trip to the Mother City is important for more than one reason.
“We have been up and down and need to show that we can keep the momentum from last time out‚” Pollard said. “The Stormers are coming off a defeat at home‚ so will be very keen to bounce back.
“They outplayed us last time we went down there and the guys are keen to rectify that result.
“Most importantly though is to show the effort is worth the hard work we put in. We have been our worst enemies at times this season.”
Bulls: 15. Warrick Gelant‚ 14. Johnny Kotze‚ 13. Jesse Kriel‚ 12. Burger Odendaal‚ 11. Jade Stighling‚ 10. Handré Pollard‚ 9. Ivan van Zyl‚ 8. Duane Vermeulen‚ 7. Hanro Liebenberg‚ 6. Marco van Staden‚ 5. RG Snyman‚ 4. Jannes Kirsten‚ 3. Trevor Nyakane‚ 2. Jaco Visagie‚ 1. Lizo Gqoboka. Replacements: 16. Johan Grobbelaar‚ 17. Simphiwe Matanzima‚ 18. Wiehan Herbst‚ 19. Thembelani Bholi‚ 20. Paul Schoeman‚ 21. Embrose Papier‚ 22. Manie Libbok‚ 23. Divan Rossouw
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Most Read
Related Articles
SA rugby hits transformation target
Lions reshuffle squad after Courtnall Skosan returns home
Selection posers for Stormers coach Robbie Fleck
Warren Whiteley back as Lions captain for Chiefs battle
KEVIN MCCALLUM: Wonderful words drown out the cheers, vuvuzelas and tears
Published by Arena Holdings and distributed with the Financial Mail on the last Thursday of every month except December and January.