Springbok lock Ruan Nortje returns to captain the Vodacom Bulls against the Stormers at Cape Town Stadium on Saturday.
Coach Johan Ackermann has made several changes to the side that lost to the Sharks in Durban two weeks ago.
Nortje replaces JF van Heerden in the second row, while in the back row, Marco van Staden starts at openside flank with Jeandre Rudolph moving to No 8.
Among the backs, Embrose Papier moves to the bench with ex-Stormers player Paul de Wet starting at scrumhalf, while Canan Moodie slots in at outside centre with Harold Vorster dropping out.
The Bulls retain a strong spine with Handre Pollard at flyhalf, David Kriel in midfield and Willie le Roux at fullback. The all-Springbok front row of Gerhard Steenekamp, Johan Grobbelaar and Wilco Louw remains unchanged.
Ackermann confirmed that winger Kurt-Lee Arendse remains sidelined due to a concussion while No 8 Cameron Hanekom’s rehab for his injured hamstring continues.
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“We’ve assessed the Sharks game and made adjustments where needed,” said Ackermann. “Ruan’s leadership is vital, and bringing in players like Canan and Marco gives us the right balance for this contest. It’s about alignment and intensity as we start the year.”
The Bulls are 12th on the URC log after Thursday night’s results and on a five-match losing streak across competitions.
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BULLS – 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Sebastian de Klerk, 13 Canan Moodie, 12 David Kriel, 11 Stravino Jacobs, 10 Handre Pollard, 9 Paul de Wet, 8 Jeandre Rudolph, 7 Elrigh Louw, 6 Marco van Staden, 5 Ruan Nortje (c), 4 Cobus Wiese, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 1 Gerhard Steenekamp.
Bench: 16 Akker van der Merwe, 17 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 18 Khuta Mchunu, 19 Ruan Vermaak, 20 Reinhardt Ludwig, 21 Nizaam Carr, 22 Embrose Papier, 23 Devon Williams.
Photo: Anton Geyser/Gallo Images
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