Jamba Ulengo
Springbok Sevens player Jamba Ulengo will make his Currie Cup debut for the Blue Bulls when they tackle the Golden Lions at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.
Ulengo’s inclusion on the left wing is one of five changes to the backline that did duty in the home loss to Western Province last week.
The Bulls will also field a new halfback combination, as Rudy Paige is promoted from the bench, while Jacques-Louis Potgieter has recovered from a rib injury to take his place at flyhalf.
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Elsewehere in the backline, Ulrich Beyers will start in place of the injured Jesse Kriel, JJ Engelbrecht comes in at outside centre at the expense of William Small-Smith, and Sampie Mastriet moves to the right wing.
In the pack, Bongi Mbonambi will start with Callie Visagie on the bench. The bench will also see a new face with Blue Bulls Vodacom Cup stalwart Basil Short propping up the bench in place of the injured Hencus van Wyk.
“We know the importance of a win only too well,” coach Frans Ludeke said. “I am confident that we have the right combinations for this weekend. I am excited to see Jamba as he has worked very hard since joining us for the Currie Cup season, JJ was part of the Springbok squad this year and Ulrich played well in the Super Rugby competition. Jacques-Louis is also a class player and match-winner in his own right and it is great to have him back.”
Blue Bulls captain, flanker Deon Stegmann, confirmed his team’s desire to win the title this year.
“We are very close to the tipping point and this match could define our season. For us to reach our goal of a Currie Cup final, we must deliver on Saturday. We are playing a very capable opponent, so there are no shortcuts for this one. We must front up and win.”
Vodacom Blue Bulls: 15 Ulrich Beyers, 14 Sampie Mastriet, 13 JJ Engelbrecht, 12 Burger Odendaal , 11 Jamba Ulengo, 10 Jacques-Louis Potgieter, 9 Rudy Paige, 8 Jono Ross, 7 Jacques du Plessis, 6 Deon Stegmann (Captain), 5 Grant Hattingh, 4 Paul Willemse, 3 Werner Kruger, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Dean Greyling
Replacements: 16 Callie Visagie, 17 Basil Short, 18 Nicolaas Janse van Rensburg, 19 Jacques Engelbrecht, 20 Piet van Zyl, 21 Tony Jantjies, 22 Ryan Nell.