Trevor Nyakane of the Bulls dejected during the Super Rugby match between DHL Stormers and Vodacom Bulls at DHL Newlands on February 08, 2020 in Cape Town, South Africa. (Photo by Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images)
Super Rugby 2020 fixtures: Reds vs Bulls – prediction, teams, score and result
The Reds host the Bulls in a Saturday Super Rugby clash at the Suncorp Stadium. Here’s what you need to know.
Trevor Nyakane of the Bulls dejected during the Super Rugby match between DHL Stormers and Vodacom Bulls at DHL Newlands on February 08, 2020 in Cape Town, South Africa. (Photo by Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images)
The Bulls finally reminded us why they are historically South Africa’s most successful Super Rugby side as they thrashed the Highlanders 38-13 last weekend.
The next challenge for Pote Human’s men is maintaining consistency as they travel to face the Reds on Saturday morning.
Rosko Specman lit up Loftus Versfeld on Saturday with a sensational hat-trick of tries. He will be looking to carry that form into the Bulls’ four-match tour of Australasia.
“I must say, the last four weeks we were close,” Specman said in the post-match press conference after the Highlanders win. “The nicest thing from today’s game — every time we had a turnover, the ball came out wide.
“For me, it was just to get that ball and to make sure I [didn’t] go out and I scored in the corner.”
The Bulls have lifted themselves off the foot of the South African conference and they will now face the team sitting third in Australia. This despite the fact that the Reds have only won one out of six games this season — an even worse record than the Bulls.
Kick-off time: 14 March, 10:15
Team news: Burger Odendaal returns from injury to captain the Bulls from inside centre, with Johnny Kotze partnering him in midfield. Nafi Tuitavake will play no part having missed out on the matchday 23. The halfback pairing of Embrose Papier and Manie Libbok has been retained.
The Reds have brought James O’Connor back at flyhalf following his return from injury. Chris Feauai-Sautia moves to outside centre in place of the injured Hunter Paisami, with Bryce Hegarty starting in Feauai-Sautia’s usual position on the wing.
Angus Blyth and Harry Hockings are the preferred lock pairing, with Lukhan Salakaia-Loto starting in the no6 jersey.
Reds XV: 15 Jock Campbell, 14 Bryce Hegarty, 13 Chris Feauai-Sautia, 12 Hamish Stewart, 11 Henry Speight, 10 James O’Connor, 9 Scott Malolua, 8 Harry Wilson, 7 Liam Wright (c), 6 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 5 Harry Hockings, 4 Angus Blyth, 3 Taniela Tupou, 2 Alex Mafi, 1 Dane Zander
Replacements: 16 Ed Craig, 17 Harry Hoopert, 18 Josh Nasser, 19 Angus Scott-Young, 20 Fraser McReight, 21 Tate McDermott, 22 Isaac Lucas, 23 Filipo Daugunu
Bulls XV: 15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Cornal Hendricks, 13 Johnny Kotze, 12 Burger Odendaal (c), 11 Rosko Specman, 10 Manie Libbok, 9 Embrose Papier, 8 Muller Uys, 7 Josh Strauss, 6 Marco van Staden, 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Ian Groenewald, 3 Trevor Nyakane, 2 Jaco Visagie, 1 Lizo Gqoboka
Replacements: 16 Corniel Els, 17 Gerhard Steenekamp, 18 Wiehahn Herbst, 19 Ryno Pieterse, 20 Ruan Steenkamp, 21 Ivan van Zyl, 22 Morne Steyn, 23 Divan Rossouw.
Prediction: Reds by five. You can find all the predictions for Round 7 of Super Rugby here.
Super Rugby 2020 as it happens: Reds vs Bulls
Our live updates will appear below. They might take a little while to load on slower connections. Please be patient, we apologise for any inconvenience.
