Warner to start for Vodacom Bulls in Cape Town

May 2 • General News, Super Rugby, Super Rugby News • 1367 Views • Comments Off on Warner to start for Vodacom Bulls in Cape Town

Andre Warner will start at scrumhalf for the Vodacom Bulls against the DHL Stormers in Cape Town on Saturday in their crucial Vodacom Super Rugby clash at DHL Newlands. Cape Town-born Warner comes in for Ivan van Zyl, who will play off the bench.

The halfback started the first four matches of the competition before picking up an injury and has made some solid contributions off the bench since, including a try against the Rebels two weeks ago.

The much-anticipated North/South derby will test the Vodacom Bulls, head coach, John Mitchell, said.

“There are more than log points to play for. We are always striving to improve on our previous effort and to grow as a team. That will again be the case. This will be as tough as SA derbies go, no doubt, which will be a good test for our discipline and game management.”

Burger Odendaal, who will captain the Vodacom Bulls for the eighth time this year, said the team is looking forward to the challenge.

“Playing the Stormers is always a special challenge, playing them at Newlands even more so. We love to test ourselves against our peers and this will be such an occasion. I am confident that we will deliver a performance that we and our supporters can be proud of.”

The provisional team (with Vodacom Super Rugby caps and points) is: Warrick Gelant (27, 50), Johnny Kotze (28, 25), Jesse Kriel (54, 50), Burger Odendaal (c, 40, 15), Divan Rossouw (8, 15)/Travis Ismaiel (34, 50), Handre Pollard (40, 358), Andre Warner (8, 10), Thembelani Bholi (23, 5)/Marco van Staden (9, 5), Jason Jenkins (35, 30)/Thembelani Bholi (23, 5), Marco van Staden (9, 5)/Roelof Smit (21, 5), Lood de Jager (58, 15), RG Snyman 32, 10), Trevor Nyakane (89, 15), Adriaan Strauss (152, 95), Lizo Gqoboka (35, 10).

Replacements: Jaco Visagie (29, 5), Frans van Wyk (9, 0)/Nqobisiwe Mxoli (2, 0), Conrad van Vuuren (10, 0), Hendre Stassen (2/0)/Roelof Smit (21, 5), Ivan van Zyl (11,0), Manie Libbok (5, 2), Divan Rossouw (8, 15)/Travis Ismaiel (34, 50).

Notes:

Adriaan Strauss will extend his South African record for Vodacom Super Rugby matches to 153.