Junior sensation Luan Giliomee will make his Bulls debut at fullback against Stade Français in their Investec Champions Cup opener at Loftus on Saturday.
The SA U20 star has made a strong impression since recently relocating to Pretoria and will form one of the fastest back threes in the competition, combining with wings Cheswill Jooste and Sebastian de Klerk.
In all there are 10 changes with just five players retained from last week’s URC team against the Lions.
It’s a near-total overhaul of last week’s bench into this week’s starting pack and backline. Seven of last week’s eight replacements have been promoted straight into the run-on side, while five of last week’s starters drop to the bench.
New additions to the match-day squad entirely are Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Jaco Grobbelaar, Embrose Papier, Sango Xamlashe, Stravino Jacobs and Giliomee.
Elrigh Louw will captain the side in the continued absence of Marcell Coetzee, forming a powerful back three with Cameron Hanekom and Marco van Staden.
ELRIGH: Bulls want to win Champions Cup
Despite Papier’s return to fitness, Paul de Wet retains the scrumhalf berth. In-form Curwin Bosch drops out altogether with Bok stalwart Handré Pollard back in harness at flyhalf.
Springbok lock Cobus Wiese has also forced his way into the starting XV, ensuring a blend of power and athleticism with JF van Heerden, one of SA’s finest emerging second rowers.
Former Pumas midfielder Xamlashe also gets his first start for the Bulls and will partner Harold Vorster in midfield.
BULLS – 15 Luan Giliomee, 14 Sebastian de Klerk, 13 Sango Xamlashe, 12 Harold Vorster, 11 Cheswill Jooste, 10 Handré Pollard, 9 Paul de Wet, 8 Cameron Hanekom, 7 Elrigh Louw (c), 6 Marco van Staden, 5 JF van Heerden, 4 Cobus Wiese, 3 Khutha Mchunu, 2 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 1 Alu Tshakweni.
Bench: 16 Johan Grobbelaar, 17 Gerhard Steenekamp, 18 Francois Klopper, 19 Jaco Grobbelaar, 20 Jeandré Rudolph, 21 Embrose Papier, 22 Stravino Jacobs, 23 Willie le Roux.
Photo: Vodacom Bulls
The post Giliomee starts as Bulls mix and match appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Junior sensation Luan Giliomee will make his Bulls debut at fullback against Stade Français in their Investec Champions Cup opener at Loftus on Saturday.
The post Giliomee starts as Bulls mix and match appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
