Odendaal back to lead Vodacom Bulls in Hamilton

Mar 13 • General News, Super Rugby, Super Rugby News • 1917 Views • Comments Off on Odendaal back to lead Vodacom Bulls in Hamilton

Vodacom Bulls captain, Burger Odendaal, is back in the starting line-up to face the Chiefs in Hamilton on Friday after missing the previous two Vodacom Super Rugby clashes against the Emirates Lions and Reds due to injury.

He takes over the captaincy from Handré Pollard and the inside centre berth from Johnny Kotze for this match, the first of two the visitors will play in New Zealand.

Vodacom Bulls Head Coach, John Mitchell, made a number of changes to the team that came up short against the Reds in Brisbane, with the return of Odendaal the most significant.

Mitchell opted for Divan Rossouw on the left wing, where he replaces Duncan Matthews in the other change to the backline. Up front, Trevor Nyakane comes in for Frans van Wyk at tighthead and Thembelani Bholi is back at flank, with Hanro Liebenberg moving to no8 where he takes over from injured Nic de Jager.

De Jager had to return home due to a broken rib and his replacement, Tim Agaba, is bracketed as a replacement with Jason Jenkins, who played off the bench in Brisbane.

A final call on Jenkins, who has a niggle, will be make closer to the game and if he is ruled out, Agaba is due to make his Vodacom Super Rugby debut for the Vodacom Bulls.

Mitchell also tweaked his finishers for this clash. Conraad van Vuuren is back on the bench in place of promoted Nyakane, while Manie Libbok is another potential debutant for the Vodacom Bulls. He comes in Marnitz Boshoff, while Kotze will cover the midfield and outside backs.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for us playing the Chiefs in Hamilton,” said Mitchell, who represented Waikato as a player.

“They have been one of the leading teams in the Vodacom Super Rugby competition over the last couple of years and this is a massive step-up from where we were a year ago. We have definite plans on how to approach this match and how to try to beat the Chiefs. We will have to do a couple of things well to achieve that, including playing as a unit,” Mitchell said.

Mitchell was excited about the possible debut for Libbok. “Manie is such an exciting talent and I believe he will make an impact in this tournament.”

It will also be 50 up for Adriaan Strauss. The hooker will play in his 50th match for the Vodacom Bulls (97 for Toyota Cheetahs as well) and will extend his South African record for Vodacom Super Rugby appearances as a hooker to 147 when he takes to the field.

Odendaal was confident about the squad’s mental and physical approach.

“We are ready to go and show our abilities. For us to win here, our courage and determination will be tested, but knowing this squad and the way we are developing as a group, I have enough confidence to know that we will be very competitive on Friday.”

The team (with Vodacom Super Rugby caps and points) is: Warrick Gelant (21, 30), Travis Ismaiel (31, 45), Jesse Kriel (48, 35), Burger Odendaal (c; 34, 15)), Divan Rossouw (2, 0), Handré Pollard (34, 308), Andre Warner (5, 5), Hanro Liebenberg (v/c; 21, 15), Thembelani Bholi (18, 5), Roelof Smit (16, 5), Lood de Jager (53, 15), RG Snyman (28, 10), Trevor Nyakane (82, 15), Jaco Visagie (23, 5), Pierre Schoeman (27, 10). Replacements: Adriaan Strauss (146, 70), Lizo Gqoboka (29, 10), Conraad van Vuuren (8, 0), Jason Jenkins (29, 25) /Tim Agaba, Marco van Staden (3, 0), Embrose Papier (3, 0), Manie Libbok (0, 0), Johnny Kotze (22, 15).

Statistics:

Adriaan Strauss will play in his 50th match for the Vodacom Bulls (97 for Toyota Cheetahs as well) and will extend his South African record for Vodacom Super Rugby appearances as a hooker to 147.

Manie Libbok will make his Vodacom Super Rugby debut for the Vodacom Bulls and in the competition when he takes to the field.

Tim Agaba will make his Vodacom Super Rugby debut for the Vodacom Bulls and in the competition when he takes to the field.

In all, 10 players return to Hamilton after the Vodacom Bulls lost 28-12 in last year’s clash against the Chiefs. They are Warrick Gelant, Travis Ismaiel, Burger Odendaal, Handre Pollard, Lood de Jager, RG Snyman, Jason Jenkins, Trevor Nyakane, Pierre Schoeman and Adriaan Strauss.