Bulls name team to battle Stormers in URC grudge match

Hard-running centre Lionel Mapoe makes his return to the Bulls’ starting XV in the only change to the team’s starting lineup for their United Rugby Championship clash against Stormers in Cape Town on Saturday.

The Bulls have kept faith in the team that was victorious against Ulster Rugby at Loftus Versfeld last weekend. The exception being that Mapoe comes in at outside centre, replacing Cornal Hendricks, who will provide backline cover from the bench.

Bismarck Du Plessis on the bench

Bismarck du Plessis, will bolster the bench as he returns to URC action as a potential replacement. The hooker has courted controversy since returning, with an apparent punch thrown in a recent Currie Cup match, and a red card in the same tournament.

Also, on the bench this week is backup lock, Janko Swanepoel.

The Tshwane-based side is expecting a tough challenge against the Cape Town-based side when they meet at DHL Stadium.

The Stormers have shown some good form in recent weeks, winning four of their most recent five URC matches, and currently occupy the sixth spot on the overall log standings, making them the highest-ranked South African team in the competition.

“After a few weeks of testing ourselves against some of the top overseas sides, we are excited to be involved in a local derby this week against an in-form side like the Stormers,” said Bulls director of rugby, Jake White.

“We expect a very tough match in Cape Town. The Stormers have shown over the past few weeks how much of a competitive side they are in the URC. They beat us at Loftus Versfeld in our last encounter, and they will definitely be an even tougher opponent this weekend in their own backyard.”

The match will kick-off at 14:00 and it will be televised on SuperSport.

Bulls team to face Stormers 

STARTERS (15-1): 
Kurt-Lee Arendse (Betway Centurion) 
Canan Moodie (Pretoria)
Lionel Mapoe (Pretoria)
Harold Vorster (Northam Rhinos), 
Madosh Tambwe (Pretoria), 
Chris Smith (Harlequins), 
Zak Burger (Tuine), 
Elrigh Louw (UP Tuks), 
Cyle Brink (Betway Centurion), 
Marcell Coetzee (CAPT, ABE Midas Naka Bulle), 
Ruan Nortje (ABE Midas Naka Bulle), 
Walt Steenkamp (Betway Centurion), 
Mornay Smith (Betway Centurion), 
Johan Grobbelaar (UP Tuks), 
Gerhard Steenekamp (ABE Midas Naka Bulle).

IMPACT (16-23): Bismarck du Plessis (Betway Centurion), Simphiwe Matanzima (ABE Midas Naka Bulle), Robert Hunt (Harlequins), Janko Swanepoel (Pretoria), Arno Botha (ABE Midas Naka Bulle), Keagan Johannes (UP Tuks), Morne Steyn (Tuine), Cornal Hendricks (Northam Rhinos).