Smit returns for Bulls

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Roelof Smit will start for the Bulls in Saturday’s Super Rugby pre-season match against the Stormers in Wellington.

Smit has been sidelined since he suffered a knee ligament injury in July last year, but played off the bench in last weekend’s warm-up game against the Sharks after he returned from club duties in Japan.

Meanwhile, a host of players that were on the bench in the friendly against the Sharks in Polokwane will get their opportunity to impress Bulls coach John Mitchell.

Only Divan Rossouw (fullback), the midfield pairing of Burger Odendaal and Johnny Kotze, Hanro Liebenberg (loose forward) and lock Ruben van Heerden has been retained from the starting team.

‘A number of players who did not start last weekend get a chance to do so this week and will get some valuable game time under their belt,’ Mitchell explained.

‘We are still building towards the start of the competition and our performance will be a work in progress towards that. We know we are playing against a very capable side, but that is the whole purpose of matches like these. There is nothing on offer, but so much to learn for both sides.’

Kick-off is at 16:00.

Bulls – 15 Divan Rossouw, 14 Andell Loubser, 13 Johnny Kotze, 12 Burger Odendaal (c), 11 Duncan Matthews, 10 Marnitz Boshoff, 9 Andre Warner, 8 Jano Venter, 7 Hanro Liebenberg, 6 Roelof Smit, 5 RG Snyman, 4 Ruben van Heerden, 3 Conraad van Vuuren, 2 Jaco Visagie, 1 Pierre Schoeman.
Subs: 16 Adriaan Strauss, 17 Lizo Gqoboka, 18 Frans van Wyk, 19 Lood de Jager, 20 Marco van Staden, 21 Thembelani Bholi, 22 Embrose Papier, 23 Manie Libbok, 24 JT Jackson, 25 Dries Swanepoel,26 Jade Stighling.

Photo: Lee Warren/Gallo Images

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Mariette Adams