Xaba back to lead injury-hit Bulls
Flank Nama Xaba returns to captain the Vodacom Bulls against the Boland Cavaliers in Wellington on Sunday.
The Pretoria-based side is looking to bounce back after a humbling 41-7 defeat to the Pumas at Loftus last weekend, while Boland have been in impressive form, claiming home wins over the Cheetahs and Lions.
Bulls coach Phiwe Nomlomo has been forced into several changes due to injuries to prop Dylan Smith, No 8 Jeandre Rudolph and centre Chris Smit.
In all, 12 players in the match 23 are still U21, with seven of them starting.
Xaba’s return brings welcome leadership to a youthful pack that includes an all-20s front row. Locks Sintu Manjezi and Marvin Orie add experience and grit in what will be a physical battle in Wellington.
Among the new selections, 20-year-old JJ Theron starts at No 8, Boeta Chamberlain takes over at flyhalf and Stravino Jacobs is named at fullback.
MORE: Bulls face Boland test after injury setback
Demitre Erasmus, a member of the Junior Boks earlier this year, starts at outside centre, while Aphiwe Dyantyi returns on the left wing after being a late withdrawal last weekend.
BULLS – 15 Stravino Jacobs, 14 Katlego Letebele, 13 Demitre Erasmus, 12 Cornel Smit, 11 Aphiwe Dyantyi, 10 Boeta Chamberlain, 9 Zak Burger, 8 JJ Theron, 7 Sintu Manjezi, 6 Nama Xaba (c), 5 Marvin Orie, 4 Jaco Grobbelaar, 3 Jean Erasmus, 2 Juann Else, 1 Ruan Swart.
Bench: 16 Esethu Mnebelele, 17 Lizo Gqoboka, 18 Bryan le Roux, 19 Marco Ferreira, 20 Junior Pokomela, 21 Brooklyn Newman, 22 Jaco van der Walt, 23 Cheswill Jooste.