Kuün to lead Bulls

Kuün will lead a largely second string side, made up of players returning from injury, those on the fringe of selection and some new faces to Super Rugby as coach Frans Ludeke looks to give a number of players a chance to impress.

Yet while the ongoing saga surrounding Boks Chiliboy Ralepelle and Bjorn Basson has yet to be settled, and has temporarily delayed the naming of the squad, the Bulls will still be able to field a side filled with youthful talent and experience.

Francois Hougaard’s injury and subsequent operation has meant a gap has opened for a fringe player to impress both at halfback and at wing. But while it is a setback, the injury is being taken in their stride by the Bulls.

“Something like this can happen at any time, and that is why depth is vital for us. Its a pity he picked up the injury, but it is at least not that bad news for us. The operation went well. But we back the other guys to do well,” coach Frans Ludeke said at Monday’s practice session.

Looking ahead to the game, Ludeke said he was “excited to see what the team would do”, especially with the longer season equalling a need for more depth in squads that can play at the highest level.

“It is important to give all the players in these two games as close to 80 minutes as possible. We will obviously rotate players where necessary and we will be looking at the execution of things we have practised. It will be good to see where we stand and the only place you can test that is in a game situation,” Ludeke said.

Ralepelle is likely to be in the team if he clears his disciplinary, while Basson is set to play next weekend. Midfielder Jaco Pretorius, who missed training again with a back spasm, is also only set to play in the second game against a Premiers XV in Nelspruit next week.

Still, there is plenty to watch this weekend as it seems that Bok winger Akona Ndungane will make a long-awaited comeback after two broken legs in as many years. It also seems that his wing partner will be none other than Springbok Sevens flyer Sampie Mastriet, who is expected to take the step up this year to top flight rugby.

The Bulls will opt for a young loose trio and midfield combination, the latter where the two Stefans – Watermeyer and Dippenaar will fill the roles needed. In the loose trio, young rising stars CJ Stander and Gerrit-Jan van Velze are likely to join Kuün.

The halfbacks are also young but will be watched carefully as Ruan Snyman and Francois Brummer both get a chance to impress the coaching staff.

The game will be broadcast live on SuperSport1 on Saturday night at 7pm.