Edinburgh will roll out their heavy artillery when they host the Vodacom Bulls at Hive Stadium on Friday night, with a host of senior figures returning.
Chief among them is the South African quartet of Duhan van der Merwe, Wes Goosen, Pierre Schoeman and Boan Venter who were rested for last week’s dismantling at the hands of Bath in the Investec Champions Cup.
Captain Magnus Bradbury, lock Grant Gilchrist, tighthead D’arcy Rae and utility back Liam McConnell are also back in the starting XV as head coach Sean Everitt turns his attention squarely to climbing the URC table.
Edinburgh sit 10th on the standings – just outside the playoff places – and one point ahead of the Bulls, underlining the importance of Friday’s encounter against a side stacked with Springbok pedigree.
“This is Edinburgh in January.”
Forged in the wind and rain.
https://t.co/stF4xhWF6Z pic.twitter.com/8cbGDwxLz2
— Edinburgh Rugby (@EdinburghRugby) January 22, 2026
Van der Merwe replaces Malelili Satala on the wing and will make just his seventh start of the season after an injury-interrupted campaign, while Schoeman and Goosen slot straight back into the starting pack and midfield respectively. Venter adds further South African muscle from the bench.
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“It’s fantastic to welcome back such an experienced cohort of players for what is undoubtedly one of our biggest tests of the season,” Everitt said.
“Having the likes of Duhan, Grant and D’arcy back from injury, alongside Pierre, Wes and Liam gives the squad a massive lift.
“We know exactly what the Bulls bring. Their squad is packed with Springbok talent and they play a physical, high-intensity brand of rugby. We have to match that physicality from the very first minute if we want to come out on top.”
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EDINBURGH – 15 Harry Paterson, 14 Darcy Graham, 13 Wes Goosen, 12 James Lang, 11 Duhan van der Merwe, 10 Ross Thompson, 9 Ben Vellacott, 8 Magnus Bradbury (c), 7 Freddy Douglas, 6 Liam McConnell, 5 Grant Gilchrist, 4 Glen Young, 3 D’arcy Rae, 2 Ewan Ashman, 1 Pierre Schoeman.
Bench: 16 Harri Morris, 17 Boan Venter, 18 Paul Hill, 19 Callum Hunter-Hill, 20 Ben Muncaster, 21 Charlie Shiel, 22 Cammy Scott, 23 Piers O’Conor.
Photo: Ian MacNicol/Getty Images
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