Springbok Canan Moodie returns to Bulls' starting line-up for Currie Cup clash

Springbok winger Canan Moodie and versatile back rower Cyle Brink headline the Bulls matchday 23 that travels to Bloemfontein for round five of the 2024 Carling Currie Cup.

The team based in the executive capital will take on their counterparts from the judicial capital, the Cheetahs on Friday afternoon at 17:00.

Utility back Moodie returns to action after being sidelined by a hand repair in early June. The speedster slots into the right-hand side of the park at wing whilst flanker Cyle Brink, sidelined by injury since February, forms part of a five-three split impact squad.

Brink will be on standby alongside Tiaan Lange who will get his first run of the season in this campaign, Jacques van Rooyen, Francois Klopper, Sintu Manjezi, Keagan Johannes, Lionel Mapoe and Devon Williams who returns to the matchday fold after overcoming his niggle from round three.

Elsewhere, head coach Phiwe Nomlomo has retained the services of Dylan Smith, Joe van Zyl and Khuthazani Mchunu in the front row. Cobus Wiese has a new partner at lock in the form of Jannes Kirsten with JF van Heerden missing out due to a niggle. Skipper, Nizaam Carr will lace his boots alongside Merwe Olivier at open-side and blind-side flank respectively with Celimpilo Gumede at eight.

Scrumhalf Zak Burger pairs up with flyhalf Jaco van der Walt at halfback with Stravino Jacobs retained on the left wing. Cornal Hendricks slots in at inside centre alongside Aphiwe Dyantyi who will run on his right at outside centre. Boeta Chamberlain's useful boot will be utilised from fullback.

Nomlomo says they are prepared for a mountainous battle against a well-coached side.

"It is going to be a mighty tough game," Nomlomo told the Bulls' website.

"They are a really well-drilled unit and if you consider that we go there not having taken a win in their home ground in a while, it makes it all exciting especially because both teams have been doing well in this competition"

"Their point of entry is with their kicking game which they use massively to try generate field positions and line outs, forcing you to make mistakes. They also have a good set piece, strong scrum and they maul a fair bit and all of this is driven through their kicking game."

On his side's work from a week ago, the Vodacom Bulls coach said: "We had a look at our performance last week and we have worked on the areas of need. We had areas where we showed strength and executed well, so we polished those. We have things we want to work on and we know what we have to do."

"From an attack perspective, we want to be ruthless and likewise from a defensive point of view. So from my side, we are looking for that all-rounded game."

On the return of Moodie to action, Nomlomo added: "It's nice to welcome Canan back, I know he has been on the sides for a while now with his injury, so he is keen to get going and it will be good to see him go again."

Bulls - 15 Boeta Chamberlain, 14 Canan Moodie, 13 Aphiwe Dyantyi, 12 Cornal Hendricks, 11 Stravino Jacobs, 10 Jaco van der Walt, 9 Zak Burger, 8 Celimpilo Gumede, 7 Merwe Olivier, 6 Nizaam Carr (c), 5 Jannes Kirsten, 4 Cobus Wiese, 3 Khuthazani 'Khutha' Mchunu, 2 Joe van Zyl, 1 Dylan Smith

Replacements: 16 Tiaan Lange, 17 Jacques van Rooyen, 18 Francois Klopper, 19 Sintu Manjezi, 20 Cyle Brink, 21 Keagan Johannes, 22 Lionel Mapoe, 23 Devon Williams

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