The Vodacom Bulls have named a powerful, Springbok-laden lineup for Saturday’s north-south derby against the Stormers at Loftus Versfeld.
The Pretoria side have recalled several experienced forwards to their starting pack as they look to claim the honours in one of South African rugby’s fiercest rivalries.
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Front-row heavy hitters Gerhard Steenekamp, Johan Grobbelaar and Wilco Louw all return to the starting XV after beginning the previous clash against the Sharks on the bench. That means Alulutho Tshakweni, Jan-Hendrik Wessels and Mornay Smith move to the replacements to provide second-half impact.
There is also a tweak in the loose trio, with in-form Jeandre Rudolph promoted from the bench to start at No 8. He joins captain Marcell Coetzee and Elrigh Louw, who both retain their places in the starting side.
The Bulls coaching staff have opted for complete continuity in the backline.
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The experienced halfback pairing of Embrose Papier and Handré Pollard continues at nine and ten, while the dangerous back three of Kurt-Lee Arendse, Sebastian de Klerk and David Kriel once again spearhead the attack.
Among the replacements, the Bulls have stacked their bench with experience and physicality.
Marco van Staden is set to mark his 100th first-class appearance for the Bulls, while Cobus Wiese also provides muscle among the forward reserves.
At the back, Paul de Wet and Willie le Roux offer experienced cover as the Bulls look to close out the derby strongly in the final quarter.
BULLS – 15 David Kriel, 14 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 13 Sebastian de Klerk, 12 Harold Vorster, 11 Canan Moodie, 10 Handré Pollard, 9 Embrose Papier, 8 Jeandre Rudolph, 7 Marcell Coetzee (c), 6 Elrigh Louw, 5 Ruan Vermaak, 4 JF van Heerden, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 1 Gerhard Steenekamp.
Bench: 16 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 17 Alulutho Tshakweni, 18 Mornay Smith, 19 Cobus Wiese, 20 Marco van Staden, 21 Paul de Wet, 22 Willie le Roux, 23 Devon Williams.
Photo: Anton Geyser/Gallo Images
The post Bulls unleash heavy hitters for derby appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
The Vodacom Bulls have named a powerful, Springbok-laden lineup for Saturday’s north-south derby against the Stormers at Loftus Versfeld.
The post Bulls unleash heavy hitters for derby appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
