Bulls set to unleash all their Boks for Ulster

The Vodacom Bulls are set to unleash almost all their Springboks this weekend to continue their momentum in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship when they take on Ulster at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.

While the Bulls narrowly won their opening fixture against Edinburgh last weekend, the end of the Castle Lager Rugby Championship has meant that the team has received their national players back and have decided that they will use as many as possible to ensure a good home victory against a tough Irish side.

The only player that warrants a debate, it seems, will be Kurt-Lee Arendse, who has had a lot of game time, has come back from a concussion and is leaving for a sabbatical at the end of November.

One of the biggest reasons is that this is the Bulls' last home game in South Africa until the New Year and, with the side embarking on a four-week tour overseas next week, there is all to play for on Saturday.

That means, and depending on where Director of Rugby Jake White sees the need, the Bulls could well return to their Bok back three of Willie le Roux, Arendse and Canan Moodie for the match, while they are significantly boosted up front.

Elrigh Louw, Ruan Nortje, Jan-Hendrik Wessels and Gerhard Steenekamp should all play a part in the Bulls matchday squad, as will Marco van Staden, who has also been released to his franchise.

The interesting thing will be to see where Wessels plays, especially as he is seen as a swinger by the Boks and they want him to see more game time at hooker and prop. The most likely position will be at prop this weekend, as back up to Steenekamp, who is quietly earning himself the reputation of being a quiet assassin.

LOOSE TRIO CONSIDERATIONS

Johan Grobbelaar returned to the side last week and along with Akker van der Merwe are likely to be the hookers for the clash.

But White now has a few choices to make in the loose trio with Cameron Hanekom, Marcell Coetzee, Celimpilo Gumede, Louw and Van Staden all available. Nortje has been a stunning workhorse in the Bok camp and should bring that experience back to captain the team this weekend.

All in all, when they name their side on Friday, the Bulls should sport a formidable look. And considering the only game the Loftus faithful will see them in for the rest of the year on home soil will be the December clash in the Champions Cup against Northampton Saints, it is worth turning up for, before the team embark on their tour.

The team will be announced on Friday.