Bulls coach Phiwe Nomlomo has made a significant change to his team for Saturday’s Currie Cup encounter with the Sharks by shifting Boeta Chamberlain from flyhalf to fullback.
Chamberlain was the Player of the Match last week when the Bulls crushed Western Province, but his reward is a move to fullback, with Jaco van der Walt starting in the key position.
With a handful of players nursing injuries, Nomlomo also opted for a front-row change — Juann Else comes in for Joe van Zyl at hooker.
In a notable selection, former Springbok Aphiwe Dyantyi starts in the No. 14 jersey. Dyantyi has been working to relaunch his career after a two-year ban incurred when he tested positive for a performance-enhancing drug. The former Lions player made a comeback for the Sharks last year, but after failing to make their United Rugby Championship squad, he moved to the Bulls.
Both fullback Henry Immelman and Van Zyl sustained injuries in last week’s triumph in the Cape.
The Bulls’ plan to develop youth through the Currie Cup is reflected in Nomlomo naming three debutants on the bench: Esethu Mnebelele, Ruan Swart, and JJ Theron.
Last week, the Lions beat the Sharks by 40 points at Ellis Park, but Nomlomo believes the Sharks will be much better on Saturday.
“Without a doubt, they’ll be 10 percent better,” the coach said. “It will be a tough game.
“People mustn’t get the false impression that the Sharks are this and that. They’re still a darn good team — well-coached (by former Springbok JP Pietersen). They won the Cup last year with youngsters initially, so we will never underestimate them.”
Bulls Team
15 Boeta Chamberlain, 14 Aphiwe Dyantyi, 13 Stedman Gans, 12 Chris Barend Smit, 11 Stravino Jacobs, 10 Jaco van der Walt, 9 Zak Burger, 8 Jeandre Rudolph, 7 Junior Pokomela, 6 Nama Xaba (captain), 5 Marvin Orie, 4 Sintu Manjezi, 3 Francois Klopper, 2 Juann Else, 1 Dylan Smith.
Bench: 16 Esethu Mnebelele, 17 Ruan Swart, 18 Jean Erasmus, 19 Dylan de Leeuw, 20 JJ Theron, 21 Steven Nel, 22 PA van Niekerk, 23 Cornel Smit.
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