The Vodacom Bulls and Stormers are counting on their Springboks to set the pace on tour, writes MARK KEOHANE.
Writing for TimesLIVE, Keohane says Jake White’s exit and Johan Ackermann’s arrival comes at a pivotal moment for the Bulls, who have loaded their tour squad with 13 current and former Boks.
“Primary to these Boks is the combo of tighthead Wilco Louw and flyhalf Handre Pollard,” he notes.
Pollard returns to Pretoria after seven years abroad, while Louw anchors what Keohane calls “the most destructive scrumming tighthead in the world.”
The Bulls fell short in three Vodacom URC finals under White, but with Pollard as general and Louw setting the platform, they have the class to challenge the likes of Leinster and Glasgow.
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Ackermann has started brightly, with wins over Ospreys and Leinster, but tightening the defence is key.
The Stormers, unbeaten after two rounds, are also well-stocked, with Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Damian Willemse and newcomer Cobus Reinach available for their European tour.
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“To win all three, the current Boks will have to influence performances and results,” Keohane writes.
The Lions must rely on home form after their late defeat to Zebre, while the Sharks – boosted by four Boks – face a daunting trip to Dublin to play Leinster.
Photo: Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images
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