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Bulls' World Cup Boks fit
30/01/2008 14:26 - (SA)
Johannesburg - The Bulls have included three of their previously injured World Cup Springboks in the side to play the Lions in a warm-up match in Windhoek on Saturday.
Danie Rossouw, Gurthro Steenkamp and Akona Ndungane, have all been given the green light, and the starting line-up is arguably the best Frans Ludeke could have selected.
Ludeke, who was not happy with the speed to the breakdown in last week's first outing against the Boland Kavaliers, have also included young Deon Stegmann in place of Springbok Hilton Lobberts, who moves to the bench in an obvious effort to inject some pace into the pack.
There is a view that the new laws can be used to speed up the game, but can also be used to great effect for the kicking game. Morne Steyn makes way at flyhalf to give Derick Hougaard a chance to start. With JP Nel and Wynand Olivier next to him, and Ndungane, Bryan Habana and new boy Zane Kirchner at fullback, it will be interesting to see how the Bulls use the new laws.
There is a belief amongst the Bulls the new laws will influence the game in a big way - and one can assume the match on Saturday will be as much to come to grips with the laws as to be clinical and correct in execution on the field.
Werner Kruger replaces injured Rayno Gerber at tighthead, and Wilhelm Steenkamp retains his place at lock in what could be a formidable combination with Rossouw.
The Bulls team is:
Zane Kirchner, Akona Ndungane, JP Nel, Wynand Olivier, Bryan Habana, Derick Hougaard, Fourie du Preez (capt.), Pedrie Wannenburg, Wikus van Heerden, Deon Stegmann, Danie Rossouw, Wilhelm Steenkamp, Werner Kruger, Derick Kuun, Gurthro Steenkamp.
Reserves: James van der Walt, Jaco Engels, Dean Greyling, Fudge Mabeta, Heini Adams, Morne Steyn, Danwell Demas, Hilton Lobberts, Deon Potgieter, John Mametsa, Marius Delport.
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Rugby
