Bulls welcome back Wiese, shuffle backline for Sharks

The Vodacom Bulls welcomed back robust utility forward Cobus Wiese and reshuffled their backline for their Vodacom United Rugby Championship showdown with the Hollywoodbets Sharks in Durban on Saturday.

After their back-to-back defeats in the Investec Champions Cup, the Bulls will be looking to bounce back against a Springbok-laden Sharks side, who themselves are looking to end the year on a high.

In the backline Canan Moodie moves to wing, with Harold Vorster and Stedman Gans teaming up in the midfield, meaning Devon Williams drops to the bench to accommodate the move. David Kriel, who was injured against Northampton Saints, failed his fitness test and therefore wasn’t available. 

Up front, Wiese’s return means Cameron Hanekom shifts to six with Elrigh Louw moving to eight in a re-shaped loose trio, with Marcell Coetzee dropping to the bench.

On the bench Sergeal Petersen and Sintu Manjezi will take the field for the first time since the Currie Cup in a strong five-three split for the Bulls.

Springboks Johan Grobbelaar and Jan-Hendrik Wessels (this time at loosehead) join Coetzee on the bench with Francois Klopper and Manjezi rounding out the forwards, while Petersen, Keagan Johannes and Williams are the backline players.

TEAM:  Willie le Roux, Sebastian de Klerk, Stedman Gans, Harold Vorster, Canan Moodie; Johan Goosen, Embrose Papier; Elrigh Louw (captain), Cobus Wiese, Cameron Hanekom, JF van Heerden, Ruan Vermaak, Wilco Louw, Akker van der Merwe; Gerhard Steenekamp.

Replacements: Johan Grobbelaar, Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Francois Klopper, Sintu Manjezi, Marcell Coetzee, Keagan Johannes, Sergeal Petersen, Devon Williams.