Junior World Cup winning flyhalf Handrè Pollard will make his Absa Currie Cup debut in Durban on Saturday after being named as pivot for the Vodacom Blue Bulls team to play The Sharks.
Pollard replaces injured Tony Jantjies in one of three changes to the backline.
With Francois Venter and Travis Ismaiel also casualties from last weekend’s loss to the MTN Golden Lions, Waylon Murray will start at outside centre and fit-again Akona Ndungane at wing.
Frik Kirsten is back at tight head after an ankle injury ruled him out of the last two matches. Recently signed lock David Bullbring will make his debut off the bench after the former Southern Kings player has been named ahead of Wilhelm Steenkamp.
Another new face on the bench is Vodacom Cup flyhalf Tiaan Schoeman.
“There is a lot to answer for this weekend,” coach Pine Pienaar said in announcing the team on Wednesday.
“We have disappointed a lot of people, including ourselves, with our performance last weekend against the Lions and the only way to get that out of the system is to go to Durban and get a result.”
Pienaar was quite at ease handing Pollard a debut at a very tough venue.
“Handrè was part of our plans all along and had it not been for a shoulder injury sustained in pre-season, he could have had a number of matches at this level under his belt already. He might be young in years, but have an old rugby head on him. We are keen to go out there and deliver,” Pienaar said.
Blue Bulls: 15 Jürgen Visser, 14 Sampie Mastriet, 13 Waylon Murray, 12 Ulrich Beyers, 11 Akona Ndungane, 10 Handrè Pollard, 9 Ruan Snyman, 8 Jono Ross (Captain), 7 Jacques du Plessis, 6 Wiaan Liebenberg, 5 Grant Hattingh, 4 Paul Willemse, 3 Frik Kirsten, 2 Mbongeni Mbonambi, 1 Morné Mellett.
Replacements: 16 Bandise Maku, 17 Werner Kruger, 18 David Bullbring, 19 Jacques Engelbrecht, 20 Rudy Paige, 21 Tiaan Schoeman, 22 Clayton Blommetjies.
Well, here’s hoping Pollard slots in seamlessly.
mellet en kirsten gaan albei massiewe games moet he.
Sal eerder rudy paige drop vir n extra water boy blommie kan scrumskakel dek.
Gelukkig met Schoeman op die bank. saterdag met al ons beserings en met Vissrr na 10 was ons helemal gevlinger.
2 @ MacroBull:
Tiaan Schoeman is ‘n blerrie goeie losskakel en ek stem saam met jou dat sy keuse op die bank ‘n goeie roep is.
@ grootblousmile:
Eo sou self ket schoeman begin het, maar waar was die knaap? het heel jaar nios van hom gehoor nie.
4 @ MacroBull:
Ek dink hy was beseer in die Vodacom Cup.
You guys have a darn good prospect in Pollard. I hope he can live up to your expectations, and put pressure on the Springbok incumbents. The Blue Bulls and Bulls and need to look after him. SA no 10 stocks are quite good at the moment. Morne Steyn is playing some very good rugby. We know what Goosen can do when not injured. Lambie is also decent, and Jantjies is showing some signs of the form that got him his 2 caps for SA. Now Pollard has emerged, so things are not too shabby, and the Greek is also showing his abilities. Must be one nice thing for HM, with all this depth at 10.
Eish, I dont know if anything will help the bulls this season!!! wish the likes of Arno Botha etc were available. Do think Pollard is good though so will wait and see
Will be very interesting to see how he goes this weekend.
He had a very average Junior WC, albeit playing out of position for some games.
John Galt wrote:
This.
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