Springbok Hendricks leads Bulls team to tackle Cheetahs

Bulls coach Gert Smal has named his team for Wednesday's Currie Cup clash against the Cheetahs in Pretoria.

The Bulls line-up features a nice mixture of youth and experience, with Springbok Cornal Hendricks leading the team from the inside centre position.

Hendricks, who takes over the captaincy again from Marcell Coetzee, will be partnered by Stedman Gans in midfield, while winger Stravino Jacobs makes a return to the starting XV.

Up front, teenage flanker Cameron Hanekom will earn a starting berth at blindside flank where he will partner up with WJ Steenkamp on the openside and Muller Uys at No 8.

The starting front row includes Gerhard Steenekamp at loosehead prop, Robert Hunt on the other side of the scrum and Schalk Erasmus at hooker.

?? TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT ?? Here is the Vodacom Bulls team to clash with the Toyota Cheetahs tomorrow at Loftus ??Tag the player you are most excited to see ??#TrueToTheBlue pic.twitter.com/teofS0dNPU

"The team had a week's break after the opening two matches of the Currie Cup season where we have had an opportunity to work on areas that we felt we needed to improve and those we felt we could further enhance where we thought we did well in the matches against the Pumas and Western Province," said Smal.

"We now have the tough task of facing a dangerous Cheetahs team whom we know will give us a good challenge. We expect the side from Bloemfontein to come to Loftus Versfeld highly motivated, and they will give us both a physical and running game on Wednesday night."

The defending champions are top of the standings after opening their campaign with away wins over the Pumas (33-19) and Western Province (40-21).

Wednesday's match at Loftus kicks off at 17:45.

Bulls

15 David Kriel, 14 Sibongile Novuka,