The Vodacom Bulls have strengthened their side with the return of several experienced campaigners for Saturday’s URC quarter-final against Munster at Loftus.
Springboks Kurt-Lee Arendse and Marcell Coetzee both return to the starting XV, with Arendse replacing Devon Williams on the right wing and Coetzee coming back into the loose trio after recovering from illness.
The veteran flank will combine with Cameron Hanekom and Elrigh Louw in a powerful back row loaded with physicality and breakdown threat.
There is also a key change at lock, where Ruan Vermaak is promoted from the bench to partner Ruan Nortjé, who is set to make his 150th appearance for the Bulls.
Springbok utility forward Marco van Staden will once again provide versatility from the bench, available to play either hooker or loose forward.
MORE: Munster tweak team for Bulls showdown
The Bulls have otherwise retained the core of the side that defeated Benetton two weeks ago, including the influential halfback pairing of Embrose Papier and Handré Pollard.
Veteran fullback Willie le Roux also keeps his place and is expected to play a major role with his tactical kicking and attacking vision.
Saturday’s clash is another major test for the Pretoria-based outfit, who are chasing a fifth successive URC semi-final appearance.
ALSO: Bulls wary of wounded Munster
BULLS – 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 13 Canan Moodie, 12 Harold Vorster, 11 Stravino Jacobs, 10 Handré Pollard, 9 Embrose Papier, 8 Cameron Hanekom, 7 Elrigh Louw, 6 Marcell Coetzee (c), 5 Ruan Nortjé, 4 Ruan Vermaak, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 1 Gerhard Steenekamp.
Bench: 16 Marco van Staden, 17 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 18 Francois Klopper, 19 Cobus Wiese, 20 Jeandre Rudolph, 21 Paul de Wet, 22 Stedman Gans, 23 Sergeal Petersen.
Photo: Anton Geyser/Gallo Images
The post Kurt-Lee back as Bulls reload for Munster appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
The Vodacom Bulls have strengthened their side with the return of several experienced campaigners for Saturday’s URC quarter-final against Munster at Loftus.
The post Kurt-Lee back as Bulls reload for Munster appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
