Is ludeke abit concermned about JJ - time he went back to the wing? Meanwhile Pollard gets a starting spot. Allistair of course let him go along with Sweil. Some one has blundered badly yet again.
Flyhalf prodigy Handre Pollard is finally set to get his first start in Vodacom Super Rugby when the Vodacom Bulls name their side to face the Toyota Cheetahs for Saturday’s game at Loftus Versfeld.
Pollard has been impressive in the little time he has had on the field, scoring an exceptional try against the Hurricanes early on in the tour, but then being forced to sit on the bench as Jacques-Louis Potgieter dominated selection as coach Frans Ludeke’s preferred choice.
The SA under-20 flyhalf is set to be named in the side as one of four changes when Ludeke reads out the team list today, but Bulls fans hoping for a massive shift in thinking now that the team is back at Loftus, will be disappointed.
Callie Visagie is set to return to the hooking role, after missing the loss against the Force with a back injury, with only Ludeke and his management team being able to explain how he starts ahead of the impressive Bongi Mbonambi at hooker (What utter bull - Callie is avery good hooker!!!!!!!). The result is that Bandise Maku, who got his 50th cap last week against the Force off the bench, is likely to be dropped out of the match 23 altogether (Not surprisingas he is adamp squib).
Despite misfiring all tour, there isn’t likely to be any chance to the loose trio, with Jono Ross tipped as the next Bulls captain if something were to happen to Victor Matfield, and Ludeke not wanting to make too many changes (Loose trio desparately needs a Deon Fourie!! Why no engelbrecht at number 8?).
An interesting shift is the chance being given to William Small-Smith at outside centre, with Springbok JJ Engelbrecht being replaced or rested (Replaced or rested is the question oaks - time will tell - oy snapster will insist its arest but one cant be sure) to give the impressive former SA under-20 star some much-needed game time.
This means, for the first time, the Junior World Championship winning backline of Pollard, Jan Serfontein and Small-Smith will be together, and much is expected of the three young players against a Cheetahs side hungry for the win.
The only other expected change is likely to see Marcel van der Merwe get some time at prop, replacing Dean Greyling in a rotational switch.(Dean has been playing well but quite possibly needs a rest)
As Ludeke searches for answers to the team’s four-game losing streak, he is likely to at least try a few new faces in the team. This should be applauded, although up front where the real problems lie, ignorance seems to be bliss in the Bulls camp currently. (Yes to play a one dimensional player like matfield and an unbalanced loose trio seems a bit daft - however the bulle are at home and will not be easy beats fo r sure)
Probable Bulls team: Jurgen Visser, Akona Ndungane, William Small-Smith, Jan Serfontein, Bjorn Basson, Handre Pollard, Francois Hougaard, Grant Hattingh, Jacques du Plessis, Jono Ross, Victor Matfield (captain), Paul Willemse, Werner Kruger, Callie Visagie, Marcel van der Merwe.
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