Phiwe Nomlomo is confident his young Vodacom Bulls XV squad can rise to the challenge of a demanding start to the Currie Cup.
The Bulls begin their campaign with three successive away matches against Boland, Griquas and the Lions, but Nomlomo believes his players are ready to embrace the test.
“It’s an exciting squad,” said the coach. “Really, really exciting. I think we’re going to play a good brand of rugby.”
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Nomlomo acknowledged that the fixture list presents an early challenge, but said the Bulls have planned extensively for a season in which player availability will be heavily influenced by injuries and Springbok commitments.
Nomlomo revealed he and Bulls URC coach Johan Ackermann have worked closely to prepare for those demands.
“We’ve had some really good meetings,” he said. “It’s all hands on deck, and that’s why there are a few names in this squad that people might not recognise. I can tell you, it’s exciting.”
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The Bulls are expected to lose several players at different stages of the competition because of Springbok duty, with the domestic schedule overlapping with the much-anticipated Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry tour.
Despite those challenges, Nomlomo believes the depth within the wider Bulls system gives a new generation of players the chance to make their mark in the Currie Cup.
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Bulls XV squad
Forwards: Abri van der Westhuysen, Abongile Nonkotwana, Arnu Gustafson, Cephas van Biljon, Chinedu Amadi, Damian Baker, Dian Coetzee, Dieter Schubert, Dylan Smith, Jon Hobson, Esethu Mnebelele, Heinrich Theron, Jaundre Schoeman, Jean Erasmus, JJ Theron, Jonathan Eloff, Junior Pokomela, KB Maake, Mawande Mdanda, Migael Turner, Nama Xaba, Nicolaas Janse van Rensburg, Oelof de Meyer, Ranon Fourie, Sandisiwe Msengana, Sintu Manjezi, Ulrich van der Westhuizen.
Backs: Aka Boqwana, Brooklyn Newman, Christiaan Viok, Christan Vorster, Daniel van der Merwe, Hakeem Kunene, Hendre Schoeman, JJ Motlhodi, Ian van der Merwe, Lindsey Jansen, Marnus Rademeyer, Neil le Roux, PA van Niekerk, Pieter van der Merwe, Riwan van Aswegen, Riyaad Bam, Ruan Enslin, Ruben Groenewald, Unathi Mlotshwa, Viaan Mentoor, Melt Viljoen, Demitre Erasmus, Devon Williams, Keagan Johannes, Shaun Schümann, Thomas Beling.
Photo: Lee Warren/Gallo Images
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