Game time for Embrose Papier
Vodacom Bulls scrum half Embrose Papier is set to get his first start of the Super Rugby Unlocked when his side visit the Toyota Cheetahs in Bloemfontein on Friday.
Last week in the win against the Griquas Papier got a few minutes as he deputised for Ivan van Zyl who this week drops to the bench but this has been given the nod for the trip to the Free State.
“I’d like to see Emborse start a game and see how he combines with the backline. Embrose, I’ve always said he was going to get game time; it was never a question of he was going to be number two. This is an opportunity for him to get some game time,” said Bulls head coach Jake White.
The Bulls welcome back their captain Duane Vermeulen after he was given a rest last week, while Johan Grobbelaar, Jade Stighling and Clinton Swart also get their first starts for the season.
The Cheetahs will be present a different challenge for the Bulls, the Toyota Stadium has proved to be fortress lately, with the home teaming getting good results there since last years Currie Cup and Pro 14 campaign; and they highlighted their home dominance when they trashed the Phakisa Pumas.
“We struggled to get going against the Griquas and we cannot afford the same against a strong Cheetahs team. We were fortunate to walk away with last week’s win and we need to do better by implementing our style of play in this clash as soon as possible,” said White.
Vodacom Bulls: Gio Aplon, 14. David Kriel, 13. Cornal Hendricks, 12. Clinton Swart, 11. Jade Stighling, 10. Morné Steyn, 9. Embrose Papier, 8. Duane Vermeulen (C), 7. Arno Botha, 6. Marco van Staden, 5. Ruan Nortje, 4. Jason Jenkins, 3. Trevor Nyakane, 2. Johan Grobbelaar, 1. Jacques van Rooyen.
Replacements: 16. Joe van Zyl, 17. Gerhard Steenekamp, 18. Mornay Smith, 19. Sintu Manjezi, 20. Nizaam Carr, 21. Ivan van Zyl, 22. Chris Smith, 23. Stedman Gans.
