Bulls fringe players can prove their worth

PRETORIA: It may seem like just another rugby adventure in the unfamiliar surroundings of Zimbabwe’s capital, but there will be a lot at stake for many of the Bulls players on Saturday when they take on the Lions in a Super Rugby warm-up match.

Bulls coach Nollis Marais has avoided naming his strongest XV and has preferred to afford many of his fringe players an opportunity to make him think otherwise of what his starting team will look like in their season opener against the Stormers at Newlands at the end of next month.

Flyhalf Tony Jantjies looks set to start after a hiatus from the sky blue jersey that saw him feature for the EP Kings.

Jantjies, who is the younger brother to Springbok flyhalf Elton, looks in the best condition of his professional career.

But he won’t be the only player under the microscope in Harare.

All of Abongile Nonkontwana, who will start at No 5, wing JT Jackson, utility back Manie Libbok and newcomer from the Stormers Johnny Kotze, who will start in a midfield pairing with the little known Rabs Maxwane, will be able to show off their skills.

Moreover, Namibian captain Renaldo Botma is over his injuries and will be one to keep an eye on at No 8, while flank Hendre Stassen, lock Ruben van Heerden and prop Coenraad van Vuuren will be keen to impress Marais.

Many of Marais’ starters and a host of Springboks will get some game time off the bench with Lood de Jager likely to get his first run in a Bulls jersey since making the trek from Bloemfontein to Pretoria.

Springbok flyhalf Handre Pollard is also set to get his first taste of rugby in over a year after being crippled by injury last year.