Welwitschias up against Bulls at Loftus

The Windhoek Draught Welwitschias will play their second match in the SuperSport Rugby Challenge against the Vodacom Blue Bulls at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria tomorrow. The Welwitschias are looking to cause an upset after they failed to win their first match against the Xerox Golden Lions at Windhoek's Hage Geingob Stadium last weekend. The score was 40-23: a much better score-line and performance from the home side as they prepare for the upcoming Japan Rugby World Cup in September. In their first match last weekend the Bulls lost 29-21 against iCollege Pumas in a closely contested match. Both teams now look for their first win as the Bulls have called up Embrose Papier who will make a rare start for his side.Papier played in the competition three times last year before making his Springbok debut later in the year. He will replace André Warner, who was called into the Bulls squad. Coach Nollis Marais was forced in a number of changes to his starting team that came up short against the iCollege Pumas last weekend, due to other call-ups. Cornal Hendricks, Rosko Specman and Dylan Sage are all needed at the Bulls, which will see a brand new backline in action.Earll Dowrie will start at fullback, while Duncan Matthews moves from the back to wing and JT Jackson from flyhalf to centre. Cameron Hufke will make his senior debut on the wing and Theo Boshoff will start at 10. Erich Cronje is the only player who will wear the same jersey again.Up front, Nic de Jager will make a first appearance at flank while Marais also included a fit-again Roelof Smit on the bench.Vaughan Isaacs and Diego Appollis has also being called into action, with both playing off the bench.The changes are par for the course, said Marais. “There is always the danger of losing players to the Vodacom Bulls in Super Rugby and we have to cope with that. We also get players back at times and I am sure Embrose will enjoy the time on the field with us. “The Namibian side are well coached and will be a tough opponent, but we need to make sure we get on the winning track, starting this weekend,” he said.The match will kick off at 12:45.The Welwitschias squad is as follows: Props: Desiderius Sethie, André Rademeyer, Calla Freygang, AJ de Klerk. Hookers: Niël van Vuuren, Gerhard Thirion. Locks: Ruan Ludick, Max Katjijeko, Jandre Lamprecht.Loose forwards: Prince !Gaoseb, Christo van der Merwe, Thomasau Forbes, Leneve Damens (vice-captain), Adriaan Booysen. Scrumhalves: JC Winkler, Eugene Jantjies. Flyhalves: PW Steenkamp, Cliven Loubser.Centres, wings, fullbacks: Chris Arries, Darryl de la Harpe (captain), Janry du Toit, PJ Walters, Oderich Mouton and Mahco Prinsloo. The Vodacom Blue Bulls squad: Earll Douwrie, Duncan Matthews, Erich Cronje, JT Jackson, Cameron Hufke, Fiela Boshoff, Embrose Papier, Muller Uys, Nic De Jager, Ruan Steenkamp (kapt), Aston Fortuin, Marius Verwey, Mornay Smith, Werner Fourie, Nqoba Mxoli. Reserves: Joe van Zyl, Madot Mabokela, Ruan Nortje, Roelof Smit, Theo Maree, Vaughan Isaacs and Diego Appollis. –Additional info SuperSportLIMBA MUPETAMI

Welwitschias up against Bulls at Loftus

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Namibian Sun 2025-07-03

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Welwitschias up against Bulls at Loftus

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Namibian Sun 2025-07-03

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