Jake White has made several changes to the Vodacom Bulls matchday 23 for the must-win clash against Benetton in Pretoria on Saturday.
The Bulls host the Italian outfit in a Vodacom URC quarter-final at Loftus Versfeld, and victory for the Herd will clinch them a first semi-final at home next week.
White has largely stuck with the same lineup that claimed a bonus-point win over the Sharks in Durban last week that clinched a first SA Shield crown for the men from the Highveld.
However, openside flanker Marco van Staden and right winger Canan Moodie have been ruled out due to injury, with Nizaam Carr and Sebastian de Klerk rotating into the starting XV.
Utility forward Jannes Kirsten and the versatile Sergeal Petersen take the World Cup-winning Springboks’ spots on the bench.
White says the injuries are untimely but because the side has been rotated regularly, everyone is match ready.
“Canan injured his hand against the Sharks last weekend and will be going for surgery today,” the director rugby said. “It is one of those where they will only be able to see how serious it is once they open him up.
ALSO: Bulls brace for battle-ready Benetton
“It is his index finger [that is fractured] which influences his passing, on top of his pinkie a few weeks ago which he has strapped before. I am not sure if it will be one of those that you can strap in a couple of weeks and play but he remains unavailable this week and the next,”
“From the Boks point of view, I hope it is not that serious so that he is ready for the Irish series.”
“Marco would have been able to play had this been the last game of the season but I do not want to take the risk knowing that he is a part of the national squad and have him break down ahead of the international series.
“I do not think it is fair, unless he is a hundred percent alright, to put him back on the field.”
Asked about the progress of Marcell Coetzee, who had an operation a few weeks ago, White explained: “He should be back next week if all things go well.”
Bulls – 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Sebastian de Klerk, 13 David Kriel, 12 Harold Vorster, 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 10 Johan Goosen, 9 Embrose Papier, 8 Cameron Hanekom, 7 Elrigh Louw, 6 Nizaam Carr, 5 Ruan Nortje (c), 4 Ruan Vermaak, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 1 Gerhard Steenekamp.
Subs: 16 Akker van der Merwe, 17 Simphiwe Matanzima, 18 Francois Klopper, 19 Reinhardt Ludwig, 20 Jannes Kirsten, 21 Keagan Johannes, 22 Chris Smith, 23 Sergeal Petersen.
’d in.
GET YOUR TICKETS NOW: https://t.co/q5EvsYNFBP #BackTheBulls | #DefendTheHerd pic.twitter.com/gwj9fpSmSJ
— Official Blue Bulls (@BlueBullsRugby) June 6, 2024
Photo: Steve Haag Sports/Gallo Images
The post Bulls tackle Benetton without Bok champs appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Jake White has made several changes to the Vodacom Bulls matchday 23 for the must-win clash against Benetton in Pretoria on Saturday.
The post Bulls tackle Benetton without Bok champs appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
