Bulls near full strength for Champions Cup final pool game
The Vodacom Bulls have returned to near-full strength for their final Investec Champions Cup match against French side Stade Francais at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday afternoon.
Springbok Elrigh Louw will captain the side, which sees a return to the pack for another Bok and co-captain Ruan Nortje, while Louw’s loose trio team-mates are the veteran Marcell Coetzee and rising star Cameron Hanekom.
Nortje tore his hamstring on the November Springbok tour and hasn’t played since, and his return will be a welcome boost to the Bulls as they look to stop a four-game losing streak and get back some momentum at Loftus Versfeld.
Nortje will reform his lock partnership with Ruan Vermaak, who recently returned to action against Northampton Saints, while the all-Springbok front row of Gerhard Steenekamp, Johan Grobbelaar and Wilco Louw will pack down in the front row.
YOUR team to face Stade Français tomorrow at LOFTUS 🔥🐂
— Official Blue Bulls (@BlueBullsRugby) January 17, 2025
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Behind the pack, the familiar faces of Embrose Papier and Johan Goosen will again line up alongside Harold Vorster and Stedman Gans in the midfield.
The back three will see Devon Williams partner with Sebastian de Klerk and Sergeal Petersen.
On the bench the Bulls sport Akker van der Merwe, Nizaam Carr and Canan Moodie as current and former Boks while Boeta Chamberlain will cover 10 and 15 for the side.
The Bulls cannot make the playoff rounds of the Champions Cup, but can sneak into a place in the Challenge Cup if they win with a bonus point and a 22 point difference against the French side.
Catching up with the two captains after this morning’s captain’s run 👀🐂
— Official Blue Bulls (@BlueBullsRugby) January 17, 2025
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Vodacom Bulls: Devon Williams; Sebastian de Klerk, Stedman Gans, Harold Vorster, Sergeal Petersen; Johan Goosen, Embrose Papier; Cameron Hanekom, Elrigh Louw (capt), Marcell Coetzee, Ruan Nortje, Ruan Vermaak, Wilco Louw, Johan Grobbelaar, Gerhard Steenekamp.
Replacements: Akker van der Merwe, Alulutho Tshakweni, Francois Klopper, Reinhardt Ludwig, Nizaam Carr, Zak Burger, Boeta Chamberlain, Canan Moodie.
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