Jenkins, Ulengo to face Waratahs in Sydney

May 11 • General News, Super Rugby • 1584 Views • Comments Off on Jenkins, Ulengo to face Waratahs in Sydney

Vodacom Bulls coach Nollis Marais named Jason Jenkins and Jamba Ulengo in his starting team that will face the Waratahs in the Allianz Stadium in Sydney on Saturday. Jenkins pulled out of the first match of the tour against the Force due to an injury, but is fit again and will combine with regular lock partner RG Snyman. He replaces Marvin Orie, who moves to the bench.

Ulengo, who returned home from Perth before the Force match, has since returned and will start in place of the injured Travis Ismaiel on the wing.

Jannes Kirsten is also back at flank in place of Arno Botha, who drops out of the match day squad.

Marais swopped his halfbacks that started against the Brumbies last weekend too. Rudy Paige and Tian Schoeman will start, with Piet van Zyl and Francois Brummer moving to the bench.

In a similar move, Lizo Gqoboka will start at loosehead and Trevor Nyakane will come off the bench.

Marais also handed a playing opportunity to Jaco Visagie and Pierre Schoeman, replacing Bandise Maku and Werner Kruger on the bench. Dries Swanepoel also replaces Dan Kriel as back-up backline player.

“We did not perform to expectations last weekend and need to make a big step up this weekend,” Marais said.

“The idea is to freshen up the squad a bit and go at the Waratahs with a slightly different team. They are formidable opponents and we owe it to ourselves to give it a good go in our final match on tour.”

Adriaan Strauss urged his team for a final effort.

“A win will make this tour a very successful one, despite last weekend’s defeat. We know we have to deliver a classy performance if we want to outplay the Waratahs, but I think we can do it.”

The match starts at 11h45 (SA time) on Saturday.

The team is: SP Marais, Jamba Ulengo, Jesse Kriel, Jan Serfontein, Bjorn Basson, Tian Schoeman, Rudy Paige, Hanro Liebenberg, Jannes Kirsten, Lappies Labuschagne, RG Snyman, Jason Jenkins, Marcel van der Merwe, Adriaan Strauss (c), Lizo Gqoboka. Replacements: Jaco Visagie, Trevor Nyakane, Pierre Schoeman, Marvin Orie, Roelof Smit, Piet van Zyl, Francois Brummer, Dries Swanepoel.