After missing a chance to play against the All Blacks, Mpilo Gumede has secured a spot on the bench for the Vodacom Bulls XV in their upcoming Currie Cup match against the Cheetahs at Loftus this Sunday.
Gumede, along with hooker Jaundre Schoeman, were initially slated for the bench in a prestigious tour match but were sidelined due to the return of Springbok players Johan Grobbelaar and Elrigh Louw. Unfortunately for Schoeman, he didn't make the cut for the Currie Cup game.
"It's all part of the game, highs and lows, but you've just got to keep pushing forward," said Gumede.
In response to a recent defeat against the Pumas where the Bulls lost 33-31, the team has made several strategic changes to their starting lineup. Aka Boqwana is stepping in as fullback, replacing Hakeem Kunene who is now on the Bulls bench for the All Blacks match. Additionally, JJ Mothlodi and JJ Theron will be starting as the left wing and blindside flank, taking over from Lindsey Jansen and Abongile Nonkontwana, respectively.
Nizaam Carr, a noted Springbok loose forward, is also poised to make an appearance off the bench. This would mark his first game since the URC final. The Bulls are currently struggling in the Currie Cup, having not won any of their first four matches.
The starting XV for the Bulls is as follows:
- Aka Boqwana
- Riyaad Bam
- Demitre Erasmus
- Christiaan Vlok
- JJ Mothlodi
- Devon Williams
- Keagan Johannes (c)
- Dieter Schubert
- JJ Theron
- Kebotile Maake
- Sintu Manjezi
- Johnathan Eloff
- Jean Erasmus
- Siphosethu Mnebelele
- Dylan Smith
- Jon Hobson
- Sandi Msengana
- Dian Coetzee
- Cephas van Biljon
- Nizaam Carr
- Mpilo Gumede
- Brooklyn Newman
- Marnus Rademeyer
These adjustments reflect the team's determination to turn their season around and climb up from the bottom of the log. The Bulls will need to harness every bit of skill and strategy as they face a tough opponent in the Cheetahs this weekend.
