Bulls load Currie Cup team with URC stars for Kimberley trip

The Bulls thumped Zebre 45-7 in a URC clash in Parma last weekend and Smal has wasted no time in drafting those stars into the Currie Cup team.

Captain Marcell Coetzee will spearhead the star-studded team which includes the likes of Kurt-Lee Arendse, Cornal Hendricks, Chris Smith and Embrose Papier in the backline.

Up front, Arno Botha, Walt Steenkamp, Bismarck du Plessis and Simphiwe Matanzima all feature.

?? TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT ??Here is your Vodacom Bulls team to take on the Tafel Lager Griquas tomorrow in the Carling Currie Cup ??Who are you most excited to see? ??#TrueToTheBlue pic.twitter.com/9zj1MUQLId

"Griquas have shown some good form so far this season and everybody knows how tough of an opponent they always are on the domestic scene. We, therefore, expect an exceptionally tough match against them, especially at their home ground," Smal said.

"We will have to be at our best if we want to claim a good result. We have a good blend of experience and exciting youth in our squad, and we hope that our preparations over the past few weeks will come together this weekend."

Saturday's clash kicks off at 14:30.

Griquas

15 Rynhardt Jonker, 14 Munier Hartzenberg, 13 Christopher Hollis, 12 Alex-Zander du Plessis, 11 Luther Obi, 10 Theo Boshoff, 9 Stefan Ungerer, 8 Sibabalo Qoma, 7 Hanru Sirgel, 6 Niel Otto (captain), 5 Derik Pretorius, 4 Mzwanele Zito, 3 Janu Botha, 2 Janco Uys, 1 Eddie Davids

Substitutes: 16 Gustav du Rand, 17 Kudzwai Dube, 18 Andries Schutte, 19 Johan Retief, 20 Michael Amiras, 21 Raegan Oranje, 22 Andre Swarts, 23 Sango Xamlashe

Bulls

15 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 14 Canan Moodie, 13 Stedman Gans, 12 Cornal Hendricks, 11 Richard Kriel, 10 Chris Smith, 9 Embrose Papier, 8 Muller Uys, 7 Arno Botha, 6 Marcell Coetzee