Vodacom Bulls coach Johan Ackermann has made calculated rotations to his pack for Friday night’s URC clash against Edinburgh at Scotstoun Stadium.
The Pretoria-based side snapped a seven-match losing streak across competitions with a narrow Investec Champions Cup win in Pau last weekend and now turn their focus back to the URC, where they sit 11th on the log.
Captain Marcell Coetzee again leads the side, but Ackermann has opted for several forward changes as the Bulls manage their resources during a demanding stretch of fixtures.
The front row has been reshuffled, with Johan Grobbelaar starting at hooker in place of the injured Akker van der Merwe, while Wilco Louw comes in at tighthead. Mornay Smith drops to the bench, with Alu Tshakweni providing loosehead cover.
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In the engine room, Ruan Nortje starts at No 5 lock after making a big impact off the bench against Clermont, replacing Reinhardt Ludwig, who shifts to the reserves. The back row also sees rotation, with Jeandre Rudolph moving to No 8 and Nizaam Carr named among the replacements.
Loose forwards Cobus Wiese (wife set to give birth) and Elrigh Louw (injury) are both unavailable.
Ackermann has made one adjustment in the backs, where David Kriel starts at inside centre, pushing Harold Vorster to the bench.
Bok utility back Canan Moodie remains sidelined due to concussion protocols.
BULLS – 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Cheswill Jooste, 13 Sebastian de Klerk, 12 David Kriel, 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 10 Handre Pollard, 9 Zak Burger, 8 Jeandre Rudolph, 7 Mpilo Gumede, 6 Marcell Coetzee (c), 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Ruan Vermaak, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 1 Jan-Hendrik Wessels.
Bench: 16 Marco van Staden, 17 Alu Tshakweni, 18 Mornay Smith, 19 Reinhardt Ludwig, 20 Nizaam Carr, 21 Embrose Papier, 22 Harold Vorster, 23 Stravino Jacobs.
Photo: Anton Geyser/Gallo Images
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