Bok brigade boosts Bulls
10/04/2024 04:07 AM
The Vodacom Bulls have recalled nine Springboks to their matchday squad for the URC clash with Ulster in Pretoria on Saturday.
Following the conclusion of the Rugby Championship, the Vodacom Bulls have been boosted by a plethora of Springbok regulars for the third-round match at Loftus Versfeld.
Co-captains Ruan Nortje and Elrigh Louw are among eight Springboks recalled to the starting lineup, with Jan-Hendrik Wessels named on a bench that also features Akker van der Merwe and Aphiwe Dyantyi.
There is a fresh front row, with Johan Grobbelaar flanked by Gerhard Steenekamp and tighthead prop Wilco Louw, while Nortje forms the second row with Cobus Wiese.
Marco van Staden and Elrigh Louw add plenty of experience to the back row with Cameron Hanekom retained at No 8.
In the backline, Embrose Papier and Sebastian de Klerk are the only two players to retain their positions from the season-opening win over Edinburgh.
Willie le Roux is back at fullback, with David Kriel shifting to inside centre in a new midfield partnership with Canan Moodie.
Kurt-Lee Arendse returns on the wing, while Boeta Chamberlain is promoted to the starting lineup at flyhalf.
Bulls — 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Sebastian de Klerk, 13 Canan Moodie, 12 David Kriel, 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 10 Boeta Chamberlain, 9 Embrose Papier, 8 Cameron Hanekom, 7 Elrigh Louw (co-c), 6 Marco van Staden, 5 Ruan Nortje (co-c), 4 Cobus Wiese, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 1 Gerhard Steenekamp.
Subs: 16 Akker van der Merwe, 17 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 18 Francois Klopper, 19 Sintu Manjezi, 20 Mpilo Gumede, 21 Keagan Johannes, 22 Stedman Gans, 23 Aphiwe Dyantyi.
Photo: Nokwanda Zondi/BackpagePix
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