Nyakane to boost Vodacom Blue Bulls (Kick-off: 16h05)
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Loading...Trevor Nyakane will make a first appearance for the Vodacom Blue Bulls and will start at tighthead for the hosts when they take on the Xerox Golden Lions at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday. This Currie Cup clash is proudly brought to you by Nashua and DirectAxis Financial Services.
Nyakane, who recently extended his stay with the union, is fit again following an injury sustained in the Vodacom Super Rugby tournament and raring to go as the Vodacom Blue Bulls look for a solid performance in front of their home crowd in Pretoria.
Nyakane has not played Currie Cup rugby for the Vodacom Blue Bulls yet, but have represented the Down Touch Griffons and Toyota Free State Cheetahs in the competition before his move to Pretoria in 2015.
The Vodacom Blue Bulls travelled to Bloemfontein and Durban in their opening two matches of the 2018 Currie Cup and secured a crucial away win at Toyota Park in their opening match.
Head coach, Pote Human, made small tweaks to the side that came up short in Durban last weekend.
Jesse Kriel returned to the wider Springboks squad for the Castle Lager Rugby Championship and his place will be taken by JT Jackson, while up front, there are a couple of changes. Jano Venter starts at flank, swopping places with Thembelani Bholi, who will play off the bench, while the same occurs at lock, with Eli Snyman starting and Ruan Nortje coming off the bench.
Nyakane’s inclusion is at the expense of Conrad van Vuuren, who moves to the replacement bench, where he will find three new faces from last week. Ivan van Zyl will replace Andre Warner during the match and Tinus de Beer is back in the mix as back-up pivot. They replace Reagan Oranje and Tony Jantjies respectively. Duncan Matthews is also back in the match day squad.
“We are back at home and as great as that is, our opponents will only make a short trip from Johannesburg, so will be keen to secure a win,” Human said.
“There were some good things happening last weekend, but we need to make a huge step-up in execution this time around,” the coach warned.
Vodacom Blue Bulls captain, Hanro Liebenberg agreed.
“This is going to be a typical Jukskei derby and whoever wants to win, will have to work very hard for it. We are at home and we want to make a stand in front of our #BullsFamily. We will be determined and motivated, but also need to be smart and effective.”
The team is:
- Divan Rossouw
- Jade Stighling
- Johnny Kotze
- JT Jackson
- Jamba Ulengo
- Manie Libbok
- Andre Warner
- Hanro Liebenberg (c)
- Jano Venter
- Ruan Steenkamp
- Eli Snyman
- Hendre Stassen
- Trevor Nyakane
- Jaco Visagie
- Matthys Basson
Replacements:
- Edgar Marutlulle
- Conrad van Vuuren
- Ruan Nortje
- Thembelani Bholi
- Ivan van Zyl
- Tinus de Beer
- Duncan Matthews
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