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JJ Harmse
Pretoria – The Blue Bulls may be boosted by the return of Springboks Zane Kirchner, Dewald Potgieter and Wyand Olivier for Friday night’s Currie Cup match against the Pumas at the Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit.
Kirchner, who missed the Bulls’ narrow win over Griquas last Friday night due to a knee injury, started the week’s preparations with the Currie Cup champions at Loftus Versfeld on Monday.
Potgieter and Olivier were interested spectators and will train with the team on Tuesday if they are released by the Springboks.
Potgieter also missed the game against Griquas with a sore neck, but coach Frans Ludeke said that a scan had not revealed any damage.
“We hope to get clarity on Wynand on Tuesday, but I’m delighted with the news that Pottie will be able to play. It’s important that he does not experience any pain and we will therefore give him the chance to recover,” said Ludeke.
Bulls No 8 Gerrit-Jan van Velze is also in contention, but is struggling to recover in time from a sore leg. CJ Stander is therefore likely to remain in the starting line-up, while Okkie Kruger’s status as substitute will not be under threat if Van Velze is injured.
“We’ll take an additional loose forward to Nelspruit to make sure we are not caught off-guard,” said Ludeke.
Devin Oosthuizen is likely to be player 23.
Olivier is definitely likely to feature at inside centre if released and Kirchner will be a welcome face at fullback.
It will give Ludeke the luxury of picking five forwards on the substitutes bench, with Dustin Jinka and Jaco van der Westhuyzen likely to be the only backs.
Ludeke expressed his satisfaction with his team’s preparation.
“It’s the second round of the Currie Cup and we realise that we will now have to increase the momentum and intensity,” he said.
Ludeke is also excited about the trip to the new stadium.
“We saw in Polokwane (earlier this year) what a great experience it was. I have only heard good things about the stadium in Nelspruit, so the guys are looking forward to running out there.”
He added that the Pumas would definitely not be underestimated.
Pretoria – The Blue Bulls may be boosted by the return of Springboks Zane Kirchner, Dewald Potgieter and Wyand Olivier for Friday night’s Currie Cup match against the Pumas at the Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit.
Kirchner, who missed the Bulls’ narrow win over Griquas last Friday night due to a knee injury, started the week’s preparations with the Currie Cup champions at Loftus Versfeld on Monday.
Potgieter and Olivier were interested spectators and will train with the team on Tuesday if they are released by the Springboks.
Potgieter also missed the game against Griquas with a sore neck, but coach Frans Ludeke said that a scan had not revealed any damage.
“We hope to get clarity on Wynand on Tuesday, but I’m delighted with the news that Pottie will be able to play. It’s important that he does not experience any pain and we will therefore give him the chance to recover,” said Ludeke.
Bulls No 8 Gerrit-Jan van Velze is also in contention, but is struggling to recover in time from a sore leg. CJ Stander is therefore likely to remain in the starting line-up, while Okkie Kruger’s status as substitute will not be under threat if Van Velze is injured.
“We’ll take an additional loose forward to Nelspruit to make sure we are not caught off-guard,” said Ludeke.
Devin Oosthuizen is likely to be player 23.
Olivier is definitely likely to feature at inside centre if released and Kirchner will be a welcome face at fullback.
It will give Ludeke the luxury of picking five forwards on the substitutes bench, with Dustin Jinka and Jaco van der Westhuyzen likely to be the only backs.
Ludeke expressed his satisfaction with his team’s preparation.
“It’s the second round of the Currie Cup and we realise that we will now have to increase the momentum and intensity,” he said.
Ludeke is also excited about the trip to the new stadium.
“We saw in Polokwane (earlier this year) what a great experience it was. I have only heard good things about the stadium in Nelspruit, so the guys are looking forward to running out there.”
He added that the Pumas would definitely not be underestimated.
