Kirchner fit for Crusaders clash
Vodacom Bulls player Zane Kirchner has been given the green light to play against the Crusaders in Timaru on Saturday. The fullback recovered from a knee strain and will front up against the home side in the Bulls second match of their 2011 Super Rugby tour to Australasia.
There is one change to the side that opening the tour with a 26-14 win over the Hurricanes in Napier last weekend. Danie Rossouw, who missed that match because he was still in South Africa with maternity leave, has been included as a replacement as coach Frans Ludeke opted for a bench consisting of five forwards and two backs. Rossouw replaces Jaco van der Westhuyzen.
“They certainly don’t come much harder than this one,” Ludeke said.
“The Crusaders are playing great rugby, but we have shown in the past that we never shy away from huge challenges. More importantly for us will be our own desire to improve every week. Last weekend showed massive improvement, but we will need another massive step-up to beat the Crusaders.”
Vodacom Bulls captain, Victor Matfield, is urging his team to execute on the day.
“On recent tours we came close in toppling the Crusaders at home. We know what we do best and if we execute that well on the day, we will be in with a real chance,” Matfield said.
The Vodacom Bulls team to play the Crusaders is: 15. Zane Kirchner, 14. Bjorn Basson, 13. Jaco Pretorius, 12. Wynand Olivier, 11. Francois Hougaard, 10. Morné Steyn, 9. Fourie du Preez, 8. Pierre Spies, 7. Dewald Potgieter, 6. Deon Stegmann, 5. Victor Matfield (Cpt), 4. Bakkies Botha, 3. Werner Kruger, 2. Gary Botha, 1. Dean Greyling.
Replacements: 16. Chiliboy Ralepelle, 17. Rossouw de Klerk, 18. Flip van der Merwe, 19. Danie Rossouw, 20. Derick Kuün, 21. Francois Brummer, 22. Gerhard van den Heever.
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