Two of the Vodacom Bulls stalwarts - Springbok hooker Johan Grobbelaar and utility back David Kriel - will mark their 50th caps for the franchise when they face Irish province Ulster in their Vodacom United Rugby Championship Round 3 match at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.
The Bulls have unleashed their Springboks for their last home game of the year before they embark on a three week tour of Europe from next week.
“It’s by far the strongest team that I’ve picked since I’ve arrived at the Bulls,” coach Jake White said at the team announcement.
“Often you get injuries or guys away, but this would be the strongest team we’ve put onto the field in four years - from an experience point of view, from an achievement point of view. We’ve almost got a Springbok in every position, Springboks on the bench.
“But as we all know, it isn’t automatic, it is just exciting to see four years are coming together now. That team could almost - as it is - play as an international group. It is an exciting team, with a nice balance. I’m looking forward to seeing how we play because there is good skill, good balance, and some good players there.
“I must, however reinforce, that there is a job to do, and a big team in Ulster, who are difficult in their own right. They’ve toured South Africa well, and while they might not have got all the results, they have played well in South Africa.”
YOUR TEAM to face ULSTER tomorrow 🔥🐂🏆
— Official Blue Bulls (@BlueBullsRugby) October 4, 2024
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Springbok fullback Willie le Roux returns to his regular position but the backline surprise is Canan Moodie at centre and not wing, leaving space for speedster Sebastian de Klerk to partner Kurt-Lee Arendse as the other cogs in the back three.
Kriel will partner Moodie, while Boeta Chamberlain is a surprise at 10 to partner Embrose Papier in an exciting backline.
Up front an all Springbok front row of Gerhard Steenekamp, Grobbelaar and Wilco Louw look formidable, while Ruan Nortje, who played five tests in a row for the Boks, leads the team onto the park alongside new recruit Cobus Wiese.
Boks Elrigh Louw and Marco van Staden return to the starting line-up with Cameron Hanekom at 8 with Celimpilo Gumede missing out and being on the bench.
The Bulls bench looks formidable as well, with Akker van der Merwe being joined by new Bok Jan-Hendrik Wessels and Francois Klopper up front, while returnee Sintu Manjezi is the second row cover and Aphiwe Dyantyi is on the bench alongside Stedman Gans and Keagan Johannes as the backline cover.
Vodacom Bulls : Willie le Roux, Sebastian de Klerk, Canan Moodie, David Kriel, Kurt-Lee Arendse; Boeta Chamberlain, Embrose Papier; Cameron Hanekom, Elrigh Louw, Marco van Staden, Ruan Nortje (captain), Cobus Wiese, Wilco Louw, Johan Grobbelaar, Gerhard Steenekamp.
Replacements: Akker van der Merwe, Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Francois Klopper, Sintu Manjezi, Celimpilo Gumede, Keagan Johannes, Stedman Gans, Aphiwe Dyantyi.