Vodacom Bulls tighthead prop Francois Klopper was given a massive vote of confidence as he was selected in the starting line-up for Saturday’s Vodacom United Rugby Championship semifinal against Glasgow Warriors at Murrayfield.
Klopper, who has had to step in several times this season when veteran Springbok prop Wilco Louw was either injured or away on compassionate leave, has improved significantly over the season and has become a big part of the Bulls squad that has qualified for the last four.
Now, with a massive test awaiting them against this season’s top side, Klopper was selected by coach Johan Ackermann ahead of Louw for the biggest game of the season, and Ackermann believes it is just reward for the young prop who has toiled so hard this season.
“It is on performance,” Ackermann said in naming the side. “I felt he did his part in the games where we didn't have access to Wilco. And when Wilco was ill, Kloppies has shown that he can perform well.
“So we just felt that it's good to keep that momentum going. He's match fit and everything is ready to go. And then hopefully Wilco, with the rest of the bench, can be in a position where they can finish the game.
“We obviously don't know how the second half is going to be. Hopefully we don't chase the game. But if so, then hopefully the bench can do it for us.
EXPERIENCE
“If we don't need it, somebody with the experience of Wilco can come on and hopefully again prove his qualities in that last bit of the second half. But it's really a reward for Klopper on how he's performed.”
Ackermann named almost the same side that smashed Munster in the quarterfinal, with 11 Springboks in the starting line-up and a further five on the bench, the Bulls are looking to their experience to get them into their fourth final in five years.
With captain Marcell Coetzee celebrating his 100th match for the Bulls, and hooker Johan Grobbelaar running on for his 150th cap, there are significant milestones in the team environment that coincide with such a massive game.
The Bulls backline remains unchanged with Boks Willie le Roux, Canan Moodie, Kurt-Lee Arendse, Handre Pollard and URC Player of the year Embrose Papier ready to fire.
Ackermann did make changes on the bench, where the injury to winger Sergeal Petersen meant that the team rather added a loose forward in Nizaam Carr to the bench, while Louw comes in at tighthead after withdrawing from the quarterfinal at the last minute with bronchitis.
PRESSURE
Ackermann did say that while there is pressure on a semifinal, the fact that you don’t have to chase bonus points helps.
“I think there will obviously be pressure on the game. Normally, you always get pressure in any game. But if you play in the season, you know that if you're on tour, any win away from home is a little bit of a bonus,” Ackermann said.
“Tomorrow is nothing about scoring tries. It's nothing about bonus points. You just need to win, even with one point. So tactically, I think probably, one can consider taking maybe more points instead. I always trust the leaders on the field for that.”
Ackermann said while they did look at their two losses to Glasgow this season, they weren’t changing much in terms of how they approached the game.
“We didn't change everything, but we did look back on what we need to do better because we lost twice against them. And where can we do things better? So we did look at those things and maybe make small adjustments. And hopefully we can execute that tomorrow.”
SENIOR PLAYERS NEED TO STEP UP
The Bulls coach said he would be looking to the senior players in the team to use their experience in the semifinal, including the likes of double World Cup winners Handre Pollard and Willie le Roux.
“The team has been there. A lot of the players have been in the semifinals and knockouts before. And obviously it's nice to have somebody like Handré Pollard who has been there at the highest level as well.
“But ultimately, I think it's going to be a game of inches and small momentums. And hopefully we can be on the right side. It's still a great privilege to play in the semifinal. And we must just still make sure we enjoy this moment and take the challenge head on.”
HIDDLESTON ONLY GLASGOW CHANGE
Meanwhile, Glasgow coach Franco Smith has made just one change to his side, with Gregor Hiddleston coming into the line-up at hooker.
Patrick Schickerling and Zander Fagerson start alongside Hiddleston in the front row, the former having opened the scoring for the Warriors at Scotstoun last time out.
Scott Cummings and Alex Samuel continue their partnership in the second row, having combined to impressive effect in both open play and at the set-piece last weekend.
Jack Dempsey continues at No 8, with Matt Fagerson and Rory Darge starting on the flanks after a seismic defensive effort from the pair in the quarterfinals.
Behind the scrum, George Horne starts at scrumhalf, partnering Dan Lancaster in the half-backs.
Sione Tuipulotu and Stafford McDowall combine in the centres, the latter having scored the crucial try in the Investec Champions Cup last-16 victory over the Bulls back in April.
YOUR team to face the Glasgow Warriors tomorrow in the VURC Semi-Finals 🐂
— Official Blue Bulls (@BlueBullsRugby) June 5, 2026
⏰15:30
📍Murrayfield
📺 Supersport 201@Vodacom #URC | @URCOfficial_RSA pic.twitter.com/KnL14boQYz
STEYN LEADS THE TEAM
Kyle Steyn leads the team from the wing once more after his Player of the Match-winning display last time out, as Kyle Rowe and Josh McKay round out the starting line-up.
Smith had nothing but praise for the Bulls.
“We know how strong of a challenge the Vodacom Bulls will pose tomorrow afternoon - they are serial contenders at the business end of the season, have one of the deepest squads in the competition, and will bring a highly physical game plan that we will need to be at our best to meet.
“Both George and Jamie have worked hard with our medical and physio teams this week to put themselves in the best position possible ahead of tomorrow, with both men eager to give their all for this team.
“We look forward to representing not just Glasgow, but all of Scotland at Scottish Gas Murrayfield tomorrow, and we look forward to hearing the Warrior Nation behind us.”
Teams:
Glasgow Warriors: Josh McKay, Kyle Steyn (CAPT), Stafford McDowall, Sione Tuipulotu, Kyle Rowe, Dan Lancaster, George Horne;Jack Dempsey, Rory Darge, Matt Fagerson, Alex Samuel, Scott Cummings, Zander Fagerson, Gregor Hiddleston, Patrick Schickerling.
Replacements: Seb Stephen, Rory Sutherland, Sam Talakai, Jare Oguntibeju, Euan Ferrie, Sione Vailanu, Jamie Dobie, Adam Hastings
Vodacom Bulls: Willie le Roux, Kurt-Lee Arendse, Canan Moodie, Harold Vorster, Stravino Jacobs; Handre Pollard, Embrose Papier, Cameron Hanekom, Elrigh Louw, Marcell Coetzee, Ruan Nortje, Ruan Vermaak, Francois Klopper, Johan Grobbelaar, Gerhard Steenekamp.
Replacements: Marco van Staden, Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Wilco Louw, Cobus Wiese, Jeandre Rudolph, Zak Burger, Stedman Gans, Nizaam Carr