The Vodacom Bulls have welcomed back flyhalf Johan Goosen for the first time in seven weeks as they prepare for their Vodacom United Rugby Championship match against Italian club Zebre at Emirates Airline Park on Saturday.
Goosen, who came off the bench for the Vodacom Blue Bulls in their Currie Cup win over Griquas, will be looking to steer his side to victory as they look to cement their place in the top eight and qualify for the playoffs of the URC.
Goosen will partner Embrose Papier in a halfback combination that will drive the Bulls on Saturday and after their run in the Currie Cup, the Bulls are hoping for a solid platform from their pack in the game against the plucky Italians.
The game forms part of a double header with the main match being the Emirates Lions against Irish powerhouse Leinster.
The Bulls pack is the same that played against Toulouse and Ulster, and will be their main thrust to blunt the Zebre attack while there are no changes in the backline with Springboks Kurt-Lee Arendse and Canan Moodie their main attacking weapons.
“The one thing I know is that while they haven’t won for a long time, they don’t get put away. They are always there and thereabouts. I’ve got no doubt - there are a couple of South African guys there who know South African sides well - and a couple of players who were at the Bulls,” White said.
“They are one of those teams that stay in the fight all the way, they don’t go away. I’m not expecting anything different tomorrow.”
White said Goosen coming back was a boost for his side.
“You’ve seen when he is on song what he does for our team. I’m hoping we get the same energy and skill level that we know he can do,” White added.
“I signed him on a long-term contract, he is here until 2026. He had a long term injury and was out. Part of my brief is to get him to play his best rugby. I’ve seen him in France - he was player of the tournament twice in the top 14. He has come back from injury and we need to get him back to his best. If we can get him to combine well with Kurt-Lee, Canan and Embrose, then you have four Springboks in your backline and you give yourself a chance.
“He is back now and I can’t wait to see how he does.”
The match kicks off at 1pm.
Vodacom Bulls: Kurt-Lee Arendse; Canan Moodie, Stedman Gans, Harold Vorster, David Kriel; Johan Goosen, Embrose Papier; Elrigh Louw, Cyle Brink, Marco van Staden, Ruan Nortje (captain), Ruan Vermaak, Mornay Smith, Johan Grobbelaar, Gerhard Steenekamp.
Replacements: Bismarck du Plessis, Dylan Smith, Francois Klopper, Janko Swanepoel, WJ Steenkamp, Keagan Johannes, Chris Smith, Cornal Hendricks.