Have the Bulls taken a step towards completing a hat-trick of producing Springbok wingers from relatively humble beginnings?It's one of the intriguing questions ahead of their URC meeting with the Scarlets in Llanelli on Friday night following the selection of Stravino Jacobs, who profits from the injuries sustained by the star-dusted duo of Canan Moodie and Kurt-Lee Arendse.The burly yet imposing 22-year-old - nicknamed 'Rocket Man' from his school days - hasn't been afforded much game-time over the past few months, but has nonetheless picked up considerable experience over the past two successful years for the franchise.When called into action, Jacobs has seldomly disappointed, notably proving an absolute menace as a strike-runner in the Bulls' opening Champions Cup victory over Lyon in December and scoring a sumptuous solo try to boot."Stravino's actually had a good 'run' despite not playing a lot over the past six weeks.
He's looking in really good form," said Bulls stand-in head coach Chris Rossouw."He brings different attributes and skills to Canan.
He's big and physical."READ | It's a stinker ... will it be toodle-oo to Bulls in Toulouse?Indeed, at 1.80m and 100kg, Jacobs is the equivalent of a pocket rocket built like a brickhouse.While that heady Lyon outing showcased his pace and incisiveness in abundance, he also possesses the skills needed for the slower conditions of the European winter, particularly some bruising defence and a booming left boot."His boot definitely is a way of gaining good field position, a nice alternative option," said Rossouw."His physical approach and running lines gives one a great advantage as the attacking team because he's difficult to stop.