Hougaard out, Botha back for Bulls

CURRIE CUP log-leaders, the Blue Bulls, travel to Kimberley this weekend where they face a potentially difficult fixture against the Griquas.

The Bulls will be without influential scrumhalf Francois Hougaard for today’s clash. He has been given permission to attend his sister’s wedding in Cape Town.

They will also be without Junior Springbok captain Hanro Liebenberg, who is recovering from a ruptured intestine.

However, Springbok Arno Botha, who returns from a knee injury to take his place at No 8. Jannes Kirsten replaces flank Roelof Smit who is also injured.

Recent signing Nick de Jager is on the bench, while Corniel Els and Andre Warner were also added to the replacements.

Warner comes in for Ivan van Zyl, who is starting, and Els will take over from Jaco Visagie. – ANA Griquas: Riaan Viljoen, Sandile Ngcobo, Michael van der Spuy, Clinton Swart, Ntabeni Dukisa, Francois Brummer, Tian Meyer (capt), RJ Liebenberg, Jonathan Adendorf, Johan Wessels, Hugo Kloppers, Jaco Nepgen, Ewald van der Westhuizen, AJ le Roux, Steph Roberts. Replacements: Martin Bezuidenhout, Luxolo Koza, Hilton Lobberts, Carel Greeff, Rudi van Rooyen, Jonathan Francke, Ruhan Nel. Blue Bulls: Warrick Gelant, Travis Ismaiel, Dries Swanepoel, Burger Odendaal, Jamba Ulengo, Tian Schoeman, Ivan van Zyl, Arno Botha, Jannes Kirsten, Lappies Labuschagne (capt), Marvin Orie, Jacques du Plessis, Werner Kruger, Bandise Maku, Dean Greyling. R e p l a c e ments : Corniel Els, Dayan van der Westhuizen, RG Snyman, Nick de Jager, André Warner, Louis Fouché, Dan Kriel. Referee: Marius van der Westhuizen Assistant referees: Lourens van der Merwe, Jaco Kotze TMO: JJ Wagner Venue: Griqua Park Kick-off: 3pm TV: SS1