Springbok lock Ruan Nortje has been named Vodacom Bulls captain for the upcoming URC season.
New head coach Johan Ackermann said he was confident Nortje would thrive in the role while highlighting the leadership depth across the squad should the skipper be called into Bok duty.
The Bulls head into the new campaign with a strong mix of returning stars, fresh recruits and rising youngsters.
Handré Pollard is back in Pretoria for the first time in six years, while Jan Serfontein returns to Loftus after almost a decade in France.
Other additions include former Montpellier lock Nicolaas Janse van Rensburg, scrumhalf Paul de Wet from the Stormers and hard-hitting Cheetahs loose forward Jeandre Rudolph.
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Several senior players are on the injury list – including Elrigh Louw, Nizaam Carr, Akker van der Merwe, Ruan Vermaak and Cameron Hanekom – but the Bulls are hopeful of having them back in contention for the season opener against the Ospreys on 27 September.
Among the youngsters to watch are Junior Boks Esethu Mnebelele, JJ Theron, Jean Erasmus and Cheswill Jooste, all tipped for breakthrough campaigns.
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Bulls URC squad:
Forwards (32) – Alu Tshakweni, Gerhard Steenekamp, Jan Hendrik Wessels, Sti Sithole, Ruan Swart, Johan Grobbelaar, Akker van der Merwe, Juann Else, Esethu Mnebelele, Wilco Louw, Francois Klopper, Mornay Smith, Jean Erasmus, Khuta Mchunu, JF van Heerden, Ruan Nortje (c), Ruan Vermaak, Jaco Grobbelaar, Sintu Manjezi, Reinhardt Ludwig, Cobus Wiese, Nicolaas Janse van Rensburg, Marco van Staden, Marcell Coetzee, Nama Xaba, Jannes Kirsten, Nizaam Carr, Elrigh Louw, Cameron Hanekom, Mpilo Gumede, JJ Theron, Jeandre Rudolph.
Backs (24) – Embrose Papier, Paul de Wet, Zak Burger, Steven Nel, Handré Pollard, Keagan Johannes, Johan Goosen, Stravino Jacobs, Sergeal Petersen, Kurt-Lee Arendse, Harold Vorster, Jan Serfontein, PA van Niekerk, Chris Barend Smit, David Kriel, Stedman Gans, Katlego Letebele, Sebastian de Klerk, Canan Moodie, Cheswill Jooste, Aphiwe Dyantyi, Willie le Roux, Devon Williams, Henry Immelman.
Photo: Anton Geyser/Gallo Images
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