The Vodacom Bulls have included an assistant coach in their match 23 for Sunday’s Currie Cup clash against Griquas in Kimberley.

Former Lions and Scotland loose forward Josh Strauss will provide cover off the bench after answering an SOS call that underlines the combined impact of injuries, Vodacom URC call-ups and junior squad demands.

The Bulls have made 12 changes to the side that lost to Boland in Wellington last weekend, most of them forced by injuries. Notably, the team will field a new midfield pairing for the fifth consecutive match.

In the starting XV, Esethu Mnebelele earns a promotion from the bench to start at hooker in place of Juann Else. The 19-year-old, a former SA Schools captain and Junior Springbok, has impressed in training.

“He’s very exciting and gets his first start at Currie Cup level,” said coach Phiwe Nomlomo. “We want as much continuity as possible, but we must also service the URC side and the U21s. Add injuries to that, and we simply have to adapt.”

Sintu Manjezi shifts from flank to lock in place of Jaco Grobbelaar, while Dylan de Leeuw steps in for Marvin Orie, who was injured during the week. Junior Pokomela comes off the bench to start at No 7, and SA U20 back Cheswill Jooste is promoted to the right wing.

The bench also features several changes. Shaun Schurmann and Simphiwe Matanzima come in as front-row replacements, with Strauss covering lock, while Liam Koen and PA van Niekerk provide backline depth.

The match kicks off at 3pm at Tuine Grizzlies Rugby Club.

BULLS – 15 Stravino Jacobs, 14 Cheswill Jooste, 13 Katlego Letebele, 12 Cornel Smit, 11 Aphiwe Dyantyi, 10 Boeta Chamberlain, 9 Zak Burger, 8 JJ Theron, 7 Junior Pokomela, 6 Nama Xaba (c), 5 Dylan de Leeuw, 4 Sintu Manjezi, 3 Jean Erasmus, 2 Esethu Mnebelele, 1 Ruan Swart.
Bench: 16 Shaun Schurmann, 17 Simphiwe Matanzima, 18 Bryan le Roux, 19 Josh Strauss, 20 Marco Ferreira, 21 Brooklyn Newman, 22 Liam Koen, 23 PA van Niekerk.

Photo: Grant Pitcher/Gallo Images