Moodie ruled out of URC quarter-final, calls on Bulls to play for Benetton
Bulls utility back Wandisile Simelane has been ruled out of the Vodacom United Rugby Championship quarter-final against Benetton in Treviso on Saturday due to concussion. Simelane suffered the injury in the Bulls’ 30-26 victory over the Scarlets in the final pool match of the URC last weekend. He has failed to recover in time for the quarter-final and will be replaced in the starting line-up by fellow utility back Kurt-Lee Arendse. Simelane said he was disappointed to miss out on the quarter-final, but he backed his team-mates to get the job done. “It’s always disappointing to miss out on a big game like this, but I know the boys will do me proud,” Simelane said. “We’ve worked hard all season and we’re confident that we can go all the way in this competition. “I’ll be cheering the boys on from the sidelines and I know they’ll make me proud.” Bulls coach Jake White said Simelane’s absence was a blow, but he backed Arendse to fill the void. “It’s a big loss for us, but we have a lot of depth in our squad and I’m confident that Kurt-Lee will step up,” White said. “He’s a very talented player and I know he’ll give us everything he’s got.” The Bulls are the only South African team to reach the URC quarter-finals and they will be looking to make history by becoming the first South African team to win the competition. They face a tough task against Benetton, who finished second in the Rainbow Cup last season and have been in good form in the URC this season. But the Bulls are confident that they can get the job done and they will be looking to Simelane for inspiration from the sidelines.
Moodie ruled out of URC quarter-final, calls on Bulls to play against Benetton
Bulls wing Madosh Tambwe will play no further part in the United Rugby Championship season, after suffering a hamstring injury in training. Tambwe, who recently made his Test debut for South Africa in the series against Wales, is in line for a 6-8 week spell on the sidelines. His absence is a blow to the Bulls, who face Benetton in the URC quarter-finals in Pretoria on Saturday. “It’s a big loss for us,” said Bulls director of rugby Jake White. “Madosh has been in excellent form this season, and he would have been a key player for us in the playoffs. “But we have a lot of depth in our squad, and I’m confident that we can still go all the way in the competition.” Tambwe has scored 10 tries in 18 appearances for the Bulls this season, and has been one of their most consistent performers. White has called on his players to step up in Tambwe’s absence, and to produce a big performance against Benetton. “We know that Benetton are a dangerous team,” said White. “They’ve got some quality players, and they’re very well-coached. “But we’re confident that we can beat them. We’re playing at home, and we have a lot of experience in big games. “We just need to go out there and play our game. If we do that, I’m confident that we can get the win.”