Reacting to their defeat at the hands of the Hollywoodbets Sharks, the Vodacom Bulls have made a whopping seven changes (two positional) to their side to face the Emirates Lions in their Vodacom United Rugby Championship Jukskei derby at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.
With the Bulls being beaten for pace by the Sharks, coach Jake White has reshuffled the entire squad, but made some telling changes in the backline as they prepare for the Lions to run at them with the same gusto as the Sharks did.
One of the casualties was winger Sergeal Petersen, who was beaten by Jurenzo Julies in the lead-up to Jordan Hendrikse’s try last weekend. Petersen drops to the bench as speedster Sebastian de Klerk returns to the side on the right wing.
That change means that Canan Moodie shifts from right to left while Harold Vorster’s injury has meant that David Kriel will move to 12 from 13, with Stedman Gans returning to the backline at outside centre.
Up front the Bulls welcome back utility forward Cobus Wiese, who will partner SA under-20 captain JF van Heerden in the second row, while they revert back to their powerful all Springbok front row of Gerhard Steenekamp, Johan Grobbelaar and Wilco Louw.
With Cameron Hanekom still out, and Marcell Coetzee not returning yet from his concussion protocols, Celimpilo Gumede has been given the eight jersey for this game.
YOUR TEAM to face the @LionsRugbyCo TOMORROW at LOFTUS 🥶🔥
— Official Blue Bulls (@BlueBullsRugby) February 21, 2025
🗓️22 January 2025
📍LOFTUS
⏰KICK-OFF: 14:00
🎟️TICKETS ➡️ https://t.co/m0aR7qpPm9 @Vodacom #URC | @URCOfficial_RSA #FightNight | #ForeverBlue pic.twitter.com/7apff44f6o
Interestingly, on the bench Alulutho Tshakweni comes in, alongside Jan-Hendrik Wessels and Francois Kloppers, meaning Wessels is in as a hooker off the bench this week where he started at loosehead for the last two games.
Keegan Johannes, normally a scrumhalf, will cover the 10 position with Kriel handling the kicking duties, as Boeta Chamberlain also falls out of the 23 this week.
Vodacom Bulls: Devon Williams; Sebastian de Klerk, Stedman Gans, David Kriel, Canan Moodie, Willie le Roux, Embrose Papier; Celimpilo Gumede, Reinhard Ludwig (captain), Marco van Staden, JF van Heerden, Cobus Wiese, Wilco Louw, Johan Grobbelaar, Gerhard Steenekamp.
Replacements: Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Alulutho Tshakweni, Francois Kloppers, Ruan Vermaak, Nizaam Carr, Zak Burger, Keegan Johannes, Sergeal Petersen.