Simelane wings it for Bulls trip to Thomond Park

The Bulls Director of Rugby, Jake White, has announced his match-day 23 that will face Munster Rugby at Thomond Park in round 5 of the 2022 season of the United Rugby Championship.

Marcell Coetzee continues to captain side with six changes to the starting XV that lost to Glasgow Warriors last weekend.

Wandisile Simelane returns to the starting XV slotting in on the wing with Harold Vorster returning at inside centre with Lionel Mapoe outside him. Cornel Hendricks (right wing) and Kurt-lee Arendse (fullback) complete the backline. 

Johan Goosen missed out as a precautionary measure to protect the player from 4G surface last week but returns to starting XV with Chris Smith moving to the bench. Embrose Papier partners Goosen in the halfbacks. 

Mornay Smith slots in at tight-head prop, whilst the second row remains the same. WJ Steenkamp will get his first run of this season’s European campaign. 

The matchup is set be an enthralling outing as both sides look to bounce back from round 4 defeats, motivation that is not lost to the Vodacom Bulls mentor. Speaking on the choice of the playing 23, White said the changes were routine.

"Nothing untoward (referring to the changes)" Jake White explained when announcing his matchday squad.

"We would have changed anyway and we will probably change for the game against the Sharks too before we go into the break. These changes help keep good morale and motivation for the entire squad,”

The Bulls squad is one of the youngest in the competition and this is something that excites White.

“I am very proud that these guys are coming through the ranks. 5-10 years ago, we wouldn’t have this sort of team makeup, where young guys form part of the core of the team. It is fantastic to see these players graduate and come through the youth system, and in a couple of years we will have a strong Vodacom Bulls team,”

The Munster clash will kick-off at 19:35 pm (local).

BULLS vs MUNSTER STARTING XV:

1. Simphiwe Matanzima, 2. Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 3. Mornay Smith, 4. Walt steenkamp, 5. Run Nortje, 6. Marcell Coetzee (c), 7. WJ Steenkamp, 8. Elrigh Louw, 9. Embrose Papier, 10. Johan Goosen, 11. Wandisile Simelane, 12. Harold Vorster, 13. Lionel Mapoe, 14. Cornel Hendricks, 15. Kurt-lee Arendse

BULLS REPLACEMENTS:

16. Bismarck Du Plessis, 17. Dylan Smith, 18. Jacques van Rooyen, 19. Ruan Vermaak, 20. Marco Van Staden, 21. Zak Burger, 22. Chris Smith, 23. David Kriel