BULLS rugby coach Frans Ludeke has stuck to his plan of naming a new-look side to do duty against the Stormers in Cape Town on Saturday night.
BULLS rugby coach Frans Ludeke has stuck to his plan of naming a new-look side to do duty against the Stormers in Cape Town on Saturday night.
Eleven changes in the starting XV is a brave move by the coach but one he is confident will pay off in the long run.
By giving his regulars a rest this week they should be fresh for the semifinal at Orlando Stadium on May 22.
Any thoughts that this is a "B side" or that the Bulls are doing the Stormers a favour by resting their big guns were shot down by Ludeke.
"Some of our regulars have injuries and small niggles so it's the ideal time to give them a break and enable them to come back fully fit," Ludeke said at Loftus yesterday.
"They are out of contact sessions and we are concentrating on their special needs - physiotherapy and gym sessions."
"Also, if you look at the side we have named, there are seven players with Springbok experience."
The full-house signs went up at Newlands weeks ago and the atmosphere is sure to be electric. Are the Bulls not worried the occasion may be too much for the youngsters?
"Everyone must do the jersey proud. It's an amazing occasion and a dream that is now a reality for some of these players. They must just go out there and play their hearts out," said newly appointed captain Bakkies Botha.
Though the squad has a new look to it, there is still a nice mix of youth and experience. A surprise inclusion is inside centre De Wet Barry, who has spent several years playing overseas. Barry has returned to play in Eastern Cape.
l The game kicks off at 7.10pm and will be shown live on M-Net and SuperSport1.
Ludeke makes wholesale changes
BULLS rugby coach Frans Ludeke has stuck to his plan of naming a new-look side to do duty against the Stormers in Cape Town on Saturday night.
BULLS rugby coach Frans Ludeke has stuck to his plan of naming a new-look side to do duty against the Stormers in Cape Town on Saturday night.
Eleven changes in the starting XV is a brave move by the coach but one he is confident will pay off in the long run.
By giving his regulars a rest this week they should be fresh for the semifinal at Orlando Stadium on May 22.
Any thoughts that this is a "B side" or that the Bulls are doing the Stormers a favour by resting their big guns were shot down by Ludeke.
"Some of our regulars have injuries and small niggles so it's the ideal time to give them a break and enable them to come back fully fit," Ludeke said at Loftus yesterday.
"They are out of contact sessions and we are concentrating on their special needs - physiotherapy and gym sessions."
"Also, if you look at the side we have named, there are seven players with Springbok experience."
The full-house signs went up at Newlands weeks ago and the atmosphere is sure to be electric. Are the Bulls not worried the occasion may be too much for the youngsters?
"Everyone must do the jersey proud. It's an amazing occasion and a dream that is now a reality for some of these players. They must just go out there and play their hearts out," said newly appointed captain Bakkies Botha.
Though the squad has a new look to it, there is still a nice mix of youth and experience. A surprise inclusion is inside centre De Wet Barry, who has spent several years playing overseas. Barry has returned to play in Eastern Cape.
l The game kicks off at 7.10pm and will be shown live on M-Net and SuperSport1.
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