SPRINGBOK utility back Canan Moodie is primed for a return to rugby when the Bulls take on the Cheetahs tonight in Bloemfontein.
Moodie has been out of action since the start of June after a hand injury he picked up during the United Rugby Championship, and subsequent surgery ruled him out of the play-offs and all of the Bok mid-year Tests.
He missed the opener against Wales, the shared two-Test duel with Ireland, and the historic clash against Portugal in Bloemfontein.
Bok coach Rassie Erasmus hinted at times that Moodie could return in time to be considered for the trip to Australia in the Rugby Championship. Instead, the 22-year-old will return to action at the Toyota Stadium today (5pm start) for valuable game time.
Moodie will return on the right wing as the Bulls search for another win to keep their status as the undefeated log leaders.
“It’s going to be a mighty tough game,” coach Phiwe Nomlomo said yesterday.
“They are a really well-drilled unit and if you consider that we go there without having taken a win on their home ground in a while, it makes it all exciting especially because both teams have been doing well in this competition.”
The Cheetahs made eight changes to the side, three at the back and five up front, that narrowly completed a win over the Griffons this past weekend.
Winger Dan Kasende will have the task of keeping Moodie in check on the left wing, while the presence of the returning inside centre Ali Mgijima should be a welcome sight. It will take a complete defensive effort from the defending champions if they want to stop the early domination of the Bulls in the tournament and bring an end to their winning run.
Bulls: 15 Boeta Chamberlain, 14 Canan Moodie, 13 Aphiwe Dyantyi, 12 Cornal Hendricks, 11 Stravino Jacobs, 10 Jaco van der Walt, 9 Zak Burger, 8 Celimpilo Gumede, 7 Merwe Olivier, 6 Nizaam Carr (captain), 5 Jannes Kirsten, 4 Cobus Wiese, 3 Khutha Mchunu, 2 Joe van Zyl, 1 Dylan Smith. Replacements: 16 Tiaan Lange, 17 Jacques van Rooyen, 18 Francois Klopper, 19 Sintu Manjezi, 20 Cyle Brink, 21 Keagan Johannes, 22 Lionel Mapoe, 23 Devon Williams.
Cheetahs: 15 Cohen Jasper, 14 Michael Annies, 13 Munier Hartzenberg, 12 Ali Mgijima, 11 Dan Kasende, 10 Ethan Wentzel, 9 Rewan Kruger, 8 Friedle Olivier, 7 Aydon Davis, 6 Jeandre Rudolph, 5 Victor Sekekete (captain), 4 Carl Wegner, 3 Hencus van Wyk, 2 Corne Fourie , 1 Schalk Ferreira. Replacements: 16 Vernon Paulo, 17 Cameron Dawson, 18 Robert Hunt, 19 Mzwanele Zito, 20 Daniel Maartens, 21 Neels Volschenk, 22 Marco Janse van Vuren, 23 Reinhardt Fortuin.
Tomorrow in Nelspruit (3pm start), the Sharks will look to return the favour after the Pumas beat them in the corresponding fixture at Kings Park last month.
Sharks coach JP Pietersen was happy with the continuity in selection after only making three changes to the winning side from last weekend when they scored their first victory of the tournament over the Lions.
“We looked at areas we could improve on for this Pumas game, but there won’t be any pressure on the players to back the win up,” he said.
“I think we found a good balance in that Lions game and the next question (to answer) is can we find that consistency? It’s not a thing about young or old, but a collective effort (to get consistency).”
Western Province will announce their side today that will do duty in Cape Town against the visiting Griffons. With only one victory so far – against the Welkom side – WP will look to make it two from two tomorrow (kickoff 5.15 pm) against their visitors who almost beat the Cheetahs in their last match.
The Cape side is expected to stick with the fairly young side that’s been doing duty in the competition.
On Sunday in Kimberley (3pm start) both the Griquas and Lions will look to return to winning ways following losses in their last games. The Lions, currently fourth on the log, will want to stay ahead of the chasing pack with another win. But playing the Peacock Blues in Kimberley will not be a Sunday afternoon stroll for the Ellis Park side.