The Vodacom Bulls will take on the Lions at Ellis Park in Saturday’s Vodacom URC derby without a host of frontline players.
The likes of Gerhard Steenekamp, Akker van der Merwe, Ruan Nortje, Sebastian de Klerk, Cheswill Jooste and Canan Moodie all miss out due to injury, while veteran Willie le Roux is rested as per Springbok protocols.
But the Bulls still boast serious firepower and experience, with all Springbok front row of Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Johan Grobbelaar and Wilco Louw, while Handre Pollard will direct things at the back.
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Notable changes are at scrumhalf, where Embrose Papier starts ahead of Zak Burger, while in midfield Harold Vorster moves from the bench into the No 12 jersey and Stedman Gans comes in at 13. They replace David Kriel who drops to the bench and De Klerk, who misses out due to concussion protocols following last week’s win away to Edinburgh.
There are also changes across the back three where Jooste also misses out due to concussion protocols and Le Roux sits out. Stravino Jacobs starts on the wing and Devon Williams takes over at fullback, with Bulls coach Johann Ackermann believing the duo add pace and aerial ability for the expected kicking battle at Ellis Park.
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In the loose forwards, Elrigh Louw returns at openside flank, replacing Mpilo Gumede, who shifts to the bench. Louw joins Marcell Coetzee who captains the side, and Jeandre Rudolph in the loose trio.
The engine room also sees rotation, with Reinhardt Ludwig in at lock in place of Nortje, who failed a late fitness test, while Cobus Wiese is added to the bench to bolster physicality late on.
BULLS – 15 Devon Williams, 14 Stravino Jacobs, 13 Stedman Gans, 12 Harold Vorster, 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 10 Handré Pollard, 9 Embrose Papier, 8 Jeandre Rudolph, 7 Elrigh Louw, 6 Marcell Coetzee (c), 5 Reinhardt Ludwig, 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 Cobus Wiese, 20 Mpilo Gumede, 21 Nizaam Carr, 22 Keagan Johannes, 23 David Kriel.
Photo: Steve Haag/Gallo Images
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