Curwin Bosch headlines Bulls’ Bok quartet for All Blacks clash
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Flyhalf Curwin Bosch is one of four Springboks named in the Bulls’ starting XV for Saturday’s Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry clash against the All Blacks at Loftus Versfeld.
Bosch will be joined by fullback Willie le Roux, scrumhalf Embrose Papier and captain Marcell Coetzee, giving Johan Ackermann’s side a valuable injection of international experience for one of the biggest fixtures of the Bulls’ season.
Hanro Liebenberg returns to his old stomping ground after a successful spell with Leicester Tigers and is thrust into the starting XV.
Bosch, long regarded as one of the most naturally gifted attacking flyhalves in South African rugby, is back home after spending the past two years in France. The experience, he believes, has helped him mature both as a player and as a person.
Papier will also have a crucial role to play as the Bulls look to bring tempo and attacking intent against a formidable New Zealand side.
Coetzee, meanwhile, will lead the side from the No.6 jersey, with his experience and physicality set to be central to the Bulls’ challenge.
Ackermann has also named an intriguing group of replacements, with Hakeem Kunene rewarded for his impressive form since arriving at Loftus during the Currie Cup. The youngster now has an opportunity to make his mark on a much bigger stage.
Thaakir Abrahams is another dangerous option. The wing will be out to show his skills for his new outfit after stints with the Sharks and Munster.
History, however, favours the All Blacks.
The two sides have met four times since their first encounter in 1949, with New Zealand winning three of those matches. The Bulls’ only victory remains one of the most memorable results in their history, when Northern Transvaal edged the touring All Blacks 29-27 in August 1976.
Saturday’s clash comes almost exactly 50 years after that famous victory, adding another layer of history to an already significant occasion at Loftus Versfeld.
Bulls: 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Thaakir Abrahams, 13 Stedman Gans, 12 Harold Vortster, 11 Stravino Jacobs, 10 Curwin Bosch, 9 Embrose Papier, 8 Jeandre Rudolph, 7 Hanro Liebenberg, 6 Marcell Coetzee (captain), 5 JF van Heerden, 4 Ruan Vermaak, 3 Francois Klopper, 2 Juann Else, 1 Alu Tshakweni.
Replacements: 16 Jaundre Schoeman, 17 Sti Sithole, 18 Khuta Mchunu, 19 Reinhardt Ludwig, 20 Mpilo Gumede, 21 Paul de Wet, 22 Katlego Letebele, 23 Hakeem Kunene.
Date: Saturday, August 15
Venue: Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
Kick-off: 19.00 (17.00 GMT; 05.00 Sunday, August 16 NZST)
Referee: Nika Amashukeli (Georgia)
Assistant referees: Karl Dickson (England), Matthew Carley (England)
TMO: Eric Gauzins (France)
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