Botha to lead Vodacom Bulls as 2020 season restarts

Experienced loose forward Arno Botha will lead a Vodacom Bulls team jam-packed with Springboks, Blitzboks and Junior Springbok talent against Tafel Lager Griquas in the opening round of Vodacom Super Rugby Unlocked at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.

The encounter in Pretoria is the third and final match of the opening weekend as the local season kicks back into action and kick-off is at 19h00, with all the action broadcast live on SuperSport.

Botha, who has returned to Pretoria after stints in England and Ireland, takes over from regular skipper Duane Vermeulen, who picked a slight knee niggle last weekend and is been rested as a precaution.

The backline remains relatively unchanged from the Vodacom Super Fan Saturday team that was triumphant against the Cell C Sharks two weeks ago, with the only change at left wing where David Kriel will make his debut for the Vodacom Bulls.

Amongst the forwards, Blitzbok Tim Agaba starts at No 8 in place of Vermeulen, where he links up with Springbok flankers Botha and Marco van Staden.

“It’s been months of preparation and weeks of training with the players and management excited to get going,” said Vodacom Bulls Director of Rugby, Jake White.

“We have a mission, we’ve set high standards and now is the time for the Vodacom Bulls to stamp their authority on the this competition.

"The experience amongst our players allows us to implement our game plan quickly and with a solid foundation. I’m extremely excited for all the players making their debuts and looking forward to watching them grow.”

Vodacom Bulls: 15 Gio Aplon, 14 Travis Ismaiel, 13 Stedman Gans, 12 Cornal Hendricks, 11 David Kriel, 10 Morné Steyn, 9 Ivan van Zyl, 8 Tim Agaba, 7 Arno Botha (captain), 6 Marco van Staden, 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Jason Jenkins, 3 Trevor Nyakane, 2 Corniel Els, 1 Jacques van Rooyen. Replacements: 16 Johan Grobbelaar, 17 Lizo Gqoboka, 18 Mornay Smith, 19 Sintu Manjezi, 20 Elrigh Louw, 21 Embrose Papier, 22 Chris Smith, 23 Marco Jansen van Vuren.

Match information – Vodacom Bulls v Tafel Lager Griquas
Date: Saturday, 10 October 2020
Time: 19h00
Venue: Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
Referee: Marius van der Westhuizen
Assistant Referees: Aimee Barrett-Theron, Morne Ferreira
Television Match Official: Cwengile Jadezweni
TV: SuperSport Grandstand and Rugby

Vodacom Bulls Vodacom Super Rugby Unlocked Arno Botha Jake White

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