Grobbelaar leads Bulls in Saracens showdown

12/06/2024 07:15 AM

Johan Grobbelaar has been recalled to the Vodacom Bulls starting lineup and handed the captaincy in the Investec Champions Cup clash against Saracens in London on Saturday.

The Springbok rake swops places with hooker Akker van der Merwe who started in the Bulls’ 28-14 win against Connacht in Galway last week. Bok loosehead prop Gerhard Steenekamp and Francois Klopper join Grobbelaar to complete the front row, with locks Ruan Vermaak and JF van Heerden slotting in behind them.

ALSO: Bok edge fuels Grobbies for Saracens challenge

Cameron Hanekom replaces the suspended Mpilo Gumede at No 8, with blindside flanker Marco van Staden and Cobus Wiese completing the loose trio.

In the backline, Willie le Roux and wingers Sebastian de Klerk and Devon Williams form up in the back three, while Canan Moodie shifts in to No 13 to partner David Kriel in midfield, and Johan Goosen and Embrose Papier team up in the halfbacks.

BULLS – 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Sebastian de Klerk, 13 Canan Moodie, 12 David Kriel, 11 Devon Williams, 10 Johan Goosen, 9 Embrose Papier, 8 Cameron Hanekom, 7 Cobus Wiese, 6 Marco van Staden, 5 JF van Heerden, 4 Ruan Vermaak, 3 Francois Klopper, 2 Johan Grobbelaar (c), 1 Gerhard Steenekamp
Subs: 16 Akker van der Merwe, 17 Alulutho Tshakweni, 18 Mornay Smith, 19 Jannes Kirsten, 20 Marcell Coetzee, 21 Keagan Johannes, 22 Aphiwe Dyantyi, 23 Harold Vorster

YOUR TEAM for our first @ChampionsCup clash against Saracens

Saracens vs Vodacom Bulls
7 December 2024
KICK-OFF: 19:30
SuperSport 201@Vodacom | @ChampionsCup | @Investec#ForeverBluepic.twitter.com/Eg74hN8naR

— Official Blue Bulls (@BlueBullsRugby) December 6, 2024

Photo: ©INPHO/Steve Haag Sports/Deon van der Merwe

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