Taulupe Faletau is back in the Cardiff squad for their United Rugby Championship (URC) match against the Bulls in Pretoria.
The number eight has been out of action since New Year’s Day. He suffered a calf injury playing against Ospreys.
Faletau’s Return Boosts Cardiff
Faletau takes his place on the Cardiff bench. Sam Wainwright and James Botham also return.
Liam Belcher, Ben Thomas and Mason Grady are in the starting XV. They remain unchanged from the side that beat Leinster earlier this month.
Cardiff coach Corniel van Zyl expects a strong showing from the Bulls. Their four-game winning streak was ended by Stormers last weekend. Van Zyl, who went to university in Pretoria, said the Bulls’ culture is to back themselves in physical games and dominate the set piece.
Van Zyl added, “We will have to fight and swing a few shots because I expect the very best of the Bulls, who will be shattered at the way they played last week. I can’t envision the same again.”
Cardiff’s URC Play-off Hopes
Cardiff are aiming to improve their URC play-off position. Victory against the Bulls would lift them from fifth to second in the table.
Cardiff have claimed match points from all 12 rounds so far. Stretching that record in South Africa against Bulls and Sharks would boost their play-off hopes.
Van Zyl said, “We all looking at the log and seeing where we are. That’s part of the dynamics but we can’t get too carried away.”
Bulls Welcome Back Hanekom
The Bulls welcome back number eight Cameron Hanekom. He has been out since tearing a hamstring in the URC semi-finals last May.
Hanekom is on the bench. Bulls include 12 players that have been named in the South Africa’s alignment squad to prepare for the summer Tests.
Bulls: Kriel; Jooste, Moodie, Gans, Arendse; Pollard, Papier; Steenekamp, Grobbelaar, Klopper, Wiese, Nortje, Coetzee (capt), Louw, Carr.
Replacements: van Staden, Wessels, Mchunu, Vermaak, Hanekom, Rudolph, de Wet, le Roux.
Cardiff: Winnett; Grady, Millard, B Thomas, Beetham; Sheedy, A Davies; Barratt, Belcher (capt), Sebastian, McNally, Nott, Lawrence, D Thomas, Basham.
Replacements: D Hughes, Southworth, Wainwri
Faletau’s return will be a welcome boost for Cardiff as they approach the run-in.