Despite having 34 injuries in their larger squad, the Vodacom Bulls have managed to name a relatively strong team to face Edinburgh in Round two action of the Vodacom United Rugby Championship on Saturday.
The Bulls long injury list was compounded by the Currie Cup, but they also have lost several players to the Springboks, who all will return next week.
Director of Rugby Jake White wasted no time in returning his two Springboks that were released to the side and put them straight back into the starting line-up.
Canan Moodie will start on the right wing, while Johan Grobbelaar is on the bench with Akker van der Merwe captaining the side for the clash.
David Kriel will start at fullback, allowing Stedman Gans and Chris Barend Smit to form the midfield partnership. Sebastian de Klerk will provide the speed on the left while Jaco van der Walt and Embrose Papier are the halfback combinations.
YOUR TEAM for the first VURC Match of the season 🔥🔥🔥
— Official Blue Bulls (@BlueBullsRugby) September 27, 2024
You WANT to see this team LIVE 😮💨
🎟️TICKETS 👉 https://t.co/I1jLJQIvJF @Vodacom #URC@URCOfficial_RSA pic.twitter.com/1XUzeJv68Z
White has also named a strong loose trio with Cameron Hanekom, Jannes Kirsten and new signing Nama Xaba in a sign that this could settle in as the combination for the season.
Another new signing - Cobus Wiese joins Ruan Vermaak in the second row, while Wilco Louw and Alulutho Tshakweni are the front row. Tshwakweni was signed at the end of last season from the Toyota Cheetahs.
On the bench SA under-20 captain JF Van Heerden and last season’s captain Marcell Coetzee stand out.
Vodacom Bulls: David Kriel, Canan Moodie, Stedman Gans, Chris Barend Smit, Sebastian de Klerk; Jaco van der Walt, Embrose Papier; Cameron Hanekom, Jannes Kirsten, Nama Xaba, Cobus Wiese, Ruan Vermaak, Wilco Louw, Akker van der Merwe (captain), Alulutho Tshakweni.
Replacements: Johan Grobbelaar, Simphiwe Matanzima, Francois Kloppers, JF van Heerden, Marcel Coetzee, Keegan Johannes, Boeta Chamberlain, Aphiwe Dyantyi