CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA – JULY 14: (L-R) Cheslin Kolbe, Damian de Allende, Morné Steyn and Lukhanyo Am of South Africa A during the tour match between South Africa “A” and British & Irish Lions at Cape Town Stadium on July 14, 2021 in Cape Town, South Africa. (Photo by Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images/Getty Images)

South Africa ‘A’ 14-17 Bulls: As it happened

Follow our live coverage of the South Africa ‘A’ vs Bulls match from the Cape Town Stadium, kick-off is scheduled for 13:00 on Saturday 18 July.

by James Richardson

17-07-2021 10:07

in British & Irish Lions Tour

South Africa ‘A’ vs Bulls: The Bulls have stepped into the breach after the tourists refused another match against South Africa ‘A’.

Jake White’s men in blue will offer the Springbok camp another chance to hone their match fitness, although many in the South Africa ‘A’ team are fringe players.

South Africa ‘A’ vs Bulls: relive the action

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South Africa ‘A’ vs Bulls: Match preview

The South Africa ‘A’ team has been significantly shuffled by Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber.

Aphelele Fassi gets his chance at fullback and could give Nienaber food for thought regarding who starts in that 15 jersey for the Springboks next week. Equally, Cobus Reinach will want to stake his claim for the starting halfback role.

South Africa ‘A’ skipper Elton Jantjies is fighting to hold onto his position as the number two flyhalf in the country and will need to give Nienaber and Rassie Erasmus a reminder of what he can do.

The brains trust named a physical loose trio featuring Smith, Rynhardt Elstadt and Van Staden, while Nicolaas Janse van Rensburg is promoted from the bench to the starting team where he will start alongside Jean-Luc du Preez in the second row.

“We wanted another SA ‘A’ match to give all the players a chance to show what they are capable of before we enter the Test Series against the British & Irish Lions, and we are excited to give these players this valuable opportunity,” said Nienaber.

“With several changes to the matchday squad, there won’t be much continuity from Wednesday’s match, but the game time and the chance for these players to show what they can offer on the field will be invaluable with an eye on improving our match fitness and building momentum before we enter the Test Series.”

The Bulls will look to Johan Goosen, who has just joined the Bulls from Montpellier, and Cornal Hendricks to lead a young but exciting backline.

Nizaam Carr, starting in the Number six jersey, will captain a Bulls’ side that will see several changes to the team that took on the Pumas in their previous outing.

Teams

South Africa ‘A’

15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Yaw Penxe, 13 Wandisile Simelane, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Rosko Specman, 10 Elton Jantjies (captain), 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Kwagga Smith, 7 Rynhardt Elstadt, 6 Marco van Staden, 5 Nicolaas Janse van Rensburg, 4 Jean-Luc du Preez, 3 Vincent Koch, 2 Joseph Dweba, 1 Coenie Oosthuizen. Replacements (from): 16 Fez Mbatha, 17 Thomas du Toit, 18 Wilco Louw, 19 Japser Wiese, 20 Sanele Nohamba, 21 Sbu Nkosi, 22 Jesse Kriel, 23 Damian Willemse, 24 Lizo Gqoboka.

Bulls

15 FC du Plessis, 14 Marco Jansen van Vuren, 13 Harold Vorster, 12 Cornal Hendricks, 11 Stravino Jacobs, 10 Johan Goosen, 9 Zak Burger, 8 WJ Steenkamp, 7 Muller Uys, 6 Nizaam Carr (captain), 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Walt Steenkamp, 3 Jacques van Rooyen, 2 Schalk Erasmus, 1 Simphiwe Matanzima. Replacements: 16 Johan Grobbelaar, 17 Gerhard Steenekamp, 18 Mornay Smith, 19 Janko Swanepoel, 20 Arno Botha, 21 Keagan Johannes, 22 Chris Smith, 23 David Kriel.