Keo.co.za brings you the news from the Currie Cup.

Hougaard starts at 9

Francois Hougaard will return to his preferred position of scrumhalf for the Bulls’ match against the Lions.

Hougaard played the majority of the Super 14 on the wing, and was picked for the Tri-Nations because of his ability to cover two positions. Now that the Boks have a three-week break before their next Test, coach Peter de Villiers has released Hougaard to rejoin the Bulls.

Frans Ludeke has made several changes, with Dewald Potgieter coming in for the injured Deon Stegmann and Flip van der Merwe replacing Wilhelm Steenkamp at lock. Jaco Engels comes in for injured loosehead Dean Greyling.

Blue Bulls – Jaco van der Westhuyzen, Gerhard van den Heever, Stephan Dippenaar, Stefan Watermeyer, John Mametsa, Jacques-Louis Potgieter, Francois Hougaard, Gerrit-Jan van Velze, Dewald Potgieter, Derick Kun, Juandre Kruger, Flip van der Merwe, Werner Kruger, Gary Botha (c.), Jaco Engels.
Subs: Chiliboy Ralepelle, Bees Roux, Fudge Mabeta, CJ Stander, Ruan Snyman, Francois Brummer, Hayden Groepes.

Player boosts for Sharks

In addition to three of their returning Springboks, flank Jean Deysel and flyhalf Steve Meyer are set to feature against the Cheetahs on Saturday.

Meyer, who injured his ankle at training last week, will be available and Deysel is expected to make his first Currie Cup appearance in Bloemfontein this weekend.

Boks Ruan Pienaar, Beast Mtawarira and Ryan Kankowski are all available for selection while Willem Alberts will also strengthen the loose forward ranks after emerging injury free in his impressive return against the Pumas last Friday.

Bismarck du Plessis could feature this week, or the next, and will be subject to a late fitness test. Du Plessis missed the Boks first seven Tests of 2010 through a neck injury.

The Sharks will name their match 22 later this week.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, July 28th, 2010 at 3:45 am and is filed under Currie Cup. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.