After his heroics against the DHL Stormers a few weeks back, top young prospect Reinhardt Ludwig gets another start at flank for the Vodacom Bulls in their Investec Champions’ Cup match against Lyon at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.
🚨 TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT 🚨
— Official Blue Bulls (@BlueBullsRugby) April 5, 2024
Here is YOUR Vodacom Bulls team to take on Lyon tomorrow at Loftus in the Investec Champions Cup 🏆
🐂 Vodacom Bulls v Lyon
📍 Loftus Versfeld
🗓️ 6 April
⏰ 13:30
🔥 Hosting our first ever Champions Cup Playoff Game
🎟️ Tickets:… pic.twitter.com/tk84BoxQzU
Ludwig’s form, particularly against the Stormers, as well as his performances off the bench for the Bulls have given him the reward of a Loftus start in the absence of Marco van Staden, who was ruled out with a knee injury this week.
Further good news came as winger Sebastian de Klerk, who left the field against Leinster with a head knock, passed a concussion test and will play on the wing this weekend.
Johan Grobbelaar starts in a swap with Akker van der Merwe while the rest of the pack is left unchanged. Marcell Coetzee captains the side.
Canan Moodie will also get another run at 13, despite coach Jake White being unimpressed with his form in the position.
White said he would have to “pay schoolfees” and keep Moodie in the role for longer to give him time to settle in.
The Bulls are also expecting a response after their second-half slump that saw Leinster run away with the game last week.
“I haven’t had to say much. When you get a result like that it speaks for itself. And the players take it on themselves. There needs to be a response, all the big clubs give a response after a bad week and we are no different,” White said.
The rest of the side is also unchanged with three World Cup-winning Boks in the backline.
See you on Saturday for more of this 👆🔥
— Official Blue Bulls (@BlueBullsRugby) April 4, 2024
🏉 Vodacom Bulls vs Lyon
🏆 The first Champions Cup Play-off game at Loftus
🗓️ 06 April 2024
📍 Loftus Versfeld
⏰ Kick-Off 13:30
🎟️ TICKETS: https://t.co/9q6tX9Op3k @Vodacom @ChampionsCup pic.twitter.com/dWOekzpZWe
TEAM: Willie le Roux, Sebastian de Klerk, Canan Moodie, David Kriel, Kurt-Lee Arendse, Johan Goosen, Embrose Papier, Elrigh Louw, Reinhardt Ludwig, Marcell Coetzee (capt), Ruan Nortje, Ruan Vermaak, Wilco Louw, Johan Grobbelaar, Gerhard Steenekamp.
Replacements: Akker van der Merwe, Simphiwe Matanzima, Mornay Smith, JF van Heerden, Nizaam Carr, Zak Burger, Chris Smith, Devon Williams.