Simelane at fullback in Bulls URC debut against former team Lions

Bulls director of rugby Jake White has named his team for their URC opener against the Lions in Johannesburg on Saturday.

Exciting back Wandisile Simelane, who recently joined the Bulls from the Lions, will start at fullback against his former team. The 24-year-old, who is equally adept at centre, was one of the Bulls' high-profile signings in the off-season.

David Kriel and Lionel Mapoe start in midfield, while Chris Smith and Embrose Papier are the halfbacks.

Springbok winger S'bu Nkosi, who has joined the Bulls from the Sharks, starts at left wing and fellow Bok, Cornal Hendricks, at right wing.

The Bulls are captained by Springbok flanker Marcell Coetzee, who forms a loose trio with Ruan Vermaak and new signing from the Cheetahs, Mihlali Mosi.

On the bench, Springbok flank Marco van Staden will hope to make an impact after re-joining the Bulls from English club Leicester Tigers.

The Bulls were runners-up in last season's URC, losing 18-13 to the Stormers in the final in Cape Town.

Saturday's clash at Ellis Park kicks off at 16:05.

Teams:

Lions

15 Andries Coetzee, 14 Edwill van der Merwe, 13 Henco van Wyk, 12 Marius Louw, 11 Quan Horn, 10 Jordan Hendrikse, 9 Morne van den Berg, 8 Francke Horn, 7 Ruhan Straeuli, 6 Sibusiso Sangweni, 5 Reinhard Nothnagel (captain), 4 Ruan Venter, 3 Ruan Dreyer, 2 PJ Botha, 1 Sithembiso Sithole

Substitutes: 16 Jaco Visagie, 17 JP Smith, 18 Ruan Smith, 19 Pieter Jansen van Vuren, 20 Emmanuel Tshituka, 21 Sanele Nohamba, 22 Gianni Lombard, 23 Zander du Plessis

Bulls

15 Wandisile Simelane, 14 Cornal Hendricks, 13 Lionel Mapoe, 12 David Kriel, 11 S'bu Nkosi, 10 Chris Smith, 9 Embrose Papier, 8 Mihlali Mosi, 7 Ruan Vermaak, 6 Marcell Coetzee (captain), 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Walt Steenkamp, 3 Mornay Smith, 2