Blue Bulls welcome back stars

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Blue Bull Fan

The Vodacom Blue Bulls travel to Bloemfontein where they will face the Vodacom Free State Cheetahs in the second round of matches of the ABSA Currie Cup.

The Blue Bulls are out to return the favour in Bloem after the FS Cheetahs snatched victory in the dying seconds at Loftus Versfeld some weeks ago to record a 25-23 away win.

The Blue Bulls received a boost with three of their star players returning from Bok duty and another former Bok returning from injury.

Springbok stars Francois Hougaard, Chilliboy Ralepele and Flip van der Merwe all make their return to the starting lineup with Ruan Snyman, Bandise Maku and Fudge Mabeta all dropping out out the match 22, Hooker Gary Botha also recovered from an injury and will be warming the bench.

Other changes to the side that beat the Sharks at Loftus include: Stefan Watermeyer in for Wynand Olivier(Bok conditioning), CJ Stander in for Dewald Potgieter(injury) and Werner Kruger replacing Frik Kirsten.

Coach Frans Ludeke said it is great having some of his international players back.

“All three will have to make a significant contribution to our effort and we are keen to have them back in the team. Matches against the Cheetahs are always very tight and we will focus on the small battles. If we dominate that, we will put ourselves in a good position to win the match.”

The two teams are:

Blue Bulls:

15. Zane Kirchner, 14. Gerhard van den Heever, 13. Jaco Pretorius, 12. Stefan Watermeyer, 11. Jaco van der Westhuyzen, 10. Jacques-Louis Potgieter, 9. Francois Hougaard, 8. Gerrit-Jan van Velze, 7. CJ Stander, 6. Derick Kuün (Captain), 5. Juandré Kruger, 4. Flip van der Merwe, 3. Werner Kruger, 2. Chiliboy Ralepelle, 1. Dean Greyling

Replacements: 16. Gary Botha, 17. Rossouw de Klerk, 18. Jaco Engels, 19. Wilhelm Steenkamp, 20. Okkie Kruger, 21. Dustin Jinka, 22. Stephan Dippenaar

Free State Cheetahs: 15. Hennie Daniller, 14. Philip Snyman, 13. Robert Ebersohn, 12. Meyer Bosman, 11. Jongi Nokwe, 10. Louis Strydom, 9. Tewis de Bruyn, 8. Ashley Johnson, 7. Christoffel Philippus Van der Walt, 6. Hendro Scholtz, 5. Waltie Vermeulen, 4. Francois Uys, 3. Kobus Calldo, 2. Adriaan Strauss (captain), 1. Coenie Oosthuizen

Replacements: 16. Skipper Badenhorst, 17. Willem Petrus (WP) Nel, 18. Izak van der Westhuizen, 19. Kabamba Floors, 20. Tertius Carse, 21. Sias Ebersohn, 22. Corné Uys

Referee: Jason Jaftha
Assistant referees: Mlungiseli Mdashe & Reuben Rossouw
TMO: Shaun Veldsman

Date: 11 September 2010

Kick-off: 17h05

Venue: Vodacom Park, Bloemfontein

[james@rugby15.co.za]