Julies, Adams in double comeback
Tue, 12 Aug 2008 15:59
Forgotten Springbok centre Wayne Julies as well as scrumhalf Heinie Adams have been included in the Blue Bulls' team for the Currie Cup match against Griquas at Loftus Versfeld on Friday.
Julies recovered from a knee injury and will partner World Cup-winner Wynand Olivier in the midfield, while Adams will be on the bench.
Olivier, who has 21 Tests behind his name, will play at outside centre - with Julies in his preferred No.12 jersey. Julies made his Springbok debut in 1999 against Spain in the World Cup and has played in 11 tests for South Africa.
Coach Frans Ludeke said on Tuesday that he is very pleased with the fact that Julies and Adams are available for selection "because they have been two of the Bulls' stalwarts" in the past and we were eagerly waiting for them to make a full recovery.
"Injuries forced us to make a few change and now it is up to them to seize this opportunity and to make the most of it," Ludeke said.
With Olivier at outside centre Marius Delport will move to the bench where he will sit alongside Adams and Burton Francis.
John Mametsa will play right wing as a result of Akona Ndungane's hip injury, which opens up the door for Rocco Jansen to start in his second Currie Cup match.
Jansen will wear the No.11 jersey with Morné Steyn at flyhalf and the young talented Francois Hougaard as his scrumhalf.
Ludeke named the same loose trio in Pedrie Wannenburg, Wikus van Heerden and Deon Stegmann.
However, because of the injuries to Francois van Schouwenburg (broken thumb) and Danie Rossouw's Bok call-up, Jaundré Kruger will partner Wilhelm Steenkamp in the second row.
Kruger is a line-out specialist who was involved in every single match that the Blue Bulls' Cup team played in 2008. He is a former University of Stellenbosch player and played in six games for the Western Province in 2007.
Ludeke decided to start with Chiliboy Ralepelle at hooker, which means that Bandise Maku will move to the bench.
Team doctor Org Strauss confirmed on Monday that Derick Kuün's hamstring is still not 100 persent and therefore he will not be considered for the clash against the Griquas.
Blue Bulls: 15 Tiger Mangweni, 14 John Mametsa, 13 Wynand Olivier, 12 Wayne Julies, 11 Rocco Jansen, 10 Morné Steyn, 9 Francois Hougaard, 8 Pedrie Wannenburg, 7 Wikus van Heerden (captain), 6 Deon Stegmann, 5 Wilhelm Steenkamp, 4 Juandré Kruger, 3 Rayno Gerber, 2 Chiliboy Ralepelle, 1 Gurthrö Steenkamp.
Replacements: 16 Bandise Maku, 17 Werner Kruger, 18 Dewald Potgieter, 19 Jacques Burger, 20 Heinie Adams, 21 Burton Francis, 22 Marius Delport.
Date: Friday, August 15
Venue: Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
Kick-off: 19.10 (17.10 GMT)
Referee: Christie du Preez
Touch judges: Pro Legoete, Muller van der Nest
TMO: Michael Cupido/Gerrie Coetzee
