Vodacom Blue Bulls coach Nollis Marais on Wednesday named the same run-on side that played in Bloemfontein last weekend for Friday’s Absa Currie Cup clash against ORC Griquas at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria.

Marais only made one change on the bench, where a fit-again Dayan van der Westhuizen will replace Nqoba Mxoli, who will return to the Under-21 side.

Even though the side will have the benefit of a solid performance against the Toyota Free State Cheetahs behind them, Marais will be keen to see more improvement in their first home match of the competition.

“We would like to improve every week. We did some satisfying things last weekend and I was quite pleased in the way we created and finished off try-scoring opportunities. Some elements of our game was not good though and we will be looking to get better in those areas,” Marais said.

“Griquas will be a different challenge this week. They are direct and abrasive in the forwards and have some very good playmakers at the back. Our defensive effort will have to be top notch.”

Labuschagne urged his troops to maintain their urgency in all areas of play.

“We have the belief that we can make this a great season, but we will be tested again when we play Griquas, who can be a very difficult opponent. They have some experienced campaigners in their side and we will have to front up. We are also very excited about our first homegame of the campaign and hope for a good crowd that we don’t want to disappoint.”

Vodacom Blue Bulls: 15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Travis Ismaiel, 13 William Small-Smith, 12 Burger Odendaal, 11 Jamba Ulengo, 10 Tian Schoeman, 9 Francois Hougaard, 8 Hanro Liebenberg, 7 Lappies Labuschagne (Captain), 6 Deon Stegmann, 5 Marvin Orie, 4 Jacques du Plessis, 3 Werner Kruger, 2 Jaco Visagie, 1 Dean Greyling
Replacements: 16 Bandise Maku, 17 Dayan van der Westhuizen, 18 RG Snyman, 19 Roelof Smit, 20 Ivan van Zyl, 21 Louis Fouché, 22 Dries Swanepoel.

Notes:

• Werner Kruger will play in his 99th match in the competition, all of them in Vodacom Blue Bulls colours.
• Dayan van der Westhuizen will make his ABSA Currie Cup debut if he comes off the bench.

Date: Friday 14 August
Venue: Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
Kick-Off: 19:10 SA Time (17:10 GMT)
Referee: Quinton Immelman
Assistant Referees: Sindile Ngcese, Archie Sehlako
TMO: TBC

Die Vodacom Blou Bulle –afrigter, Nollis Marais, het Woensdag ‘n onveranderde beginspan aangekondig wat Vrydag op Loftus Versfeld in’n ABSA Curriebeker-wedstryd teen die ORC Griekwas te staan kom.

Marais het wel een verandering aan sy plaasvervangerbank gemaak waar Dayan van der Westhuizen vir Nqoba Mxoli vervang. Mxoli skuif terug na die Onder 21’s.

Hoewel die span puik vertoon het in verlede week se sege teen die Toyota Vrystaat in Bloemfontein, will Marais nog verbetering sien in hul 1ste tuiswedstryd in die kompetisie.

“Ons wil elke week verbeter. Daar was goeie dinge verlede naweek, veral hoe ons kanse geskep en afgerond het, maar ander aspekte was nie op standaard nie en ons wil dit regstel,” meen die breier.

“Griekwas gaan ander vrae aan ons stel. Hulle is direk en hard in die voorspelers en het goeie spelskeppers agterlangs. Ons verdediging sal rotsvas moes wees.”

Labuschagne het sy spanmaats gevra om die intensiteit in hul spel te behou.

“Ons het die geloof dat hierdie ‘n groot seisoen kan wees. Ons sal getoets word deur Griekwas, hulle het ervare spelers in die groep en ons sal moet opdaag met ons beste poging. Ons is veral opgewonde om voor ons tuisskare te speel en ‘n goeie vertoning te lewer.”

Vodacom Blou Bulle: 15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Travis Ismaiel, 13 William Small-Smith, 12 Burger Odendaal, 11 Jamba Ulengo, 10 Tian Schoeman, 9 Francois Hougaard, 8 Hanro Liebenberg, 7 Lappies Labuschagne (Kaptein), 6 Deon Stegmann, 5 Marvin Orie, 4 Jacques du Plessis, 3 Werner Kruger, 2 Jaco Visagie, 1 Dean Greyling
Plaasvervangers: 16 Bandise Maku, 17 Dayan van der Westhuizen, 18 RG Snyman, 19 Roelof Smit, 20 Ivan van Zyl, 21 Louis Fouché, 22 Dries Swanepoel.

Notas:

• Werner Kruger speel in sy 99ste ABSA Curriebekerwedstryd vir die Vodacom Blou Bulle.
• Dayan van der Westhuizen sal sy ABSA Curriebekerdebuut maak as hy speelkans kry.

Datum: Vrydag 14 Augustus
Plek: Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
Afskop: 19:10 SA Tyd (17:10 GMT)
Skeidsregter: Quinton Immelman
Assistent Skeidsregters: Sindile Ngcese, Archie Sehlako
TWB: Sal aangekondig word