Bulls bench a Bok
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Lock forward Ruan Vermaak will make his return to action for the Bulls when the Pretoria franchise begins its 2023/24 Champions Cup campaign.
They will host three-time champions Saracens of England at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday – when the two teams meet for the first time.
Vermaak will start at lock alongside fellow former Junior Springbok Reinhardt Ludwig.
In front of the second row pair will be a front row comprising of Gerhard Steenekamp (loosehead), Akker van der Merwe (hooker) and tighthead prop Wilco Louw.
The back row combination of Marco van Staden, Elrigh Louw and Cameron Hanekom remains unchanged from last week’s United Rugby Championship round 7 clash.
Louw will once again lead the herd when they step into the fortress against the English giants.
The impeccable forward pack will lay the foundation for a backline that begins with Embrose Papier (scrumhalf) and Johan Goosen (flyhalf) at halfback, with David Kriel and Stedman Gans behind them at centre.
Springbok trio, Canan Moodie (left wing), Kurt-Lee Arendse (right wing) and Willie le Roux (fullback) complete an electric backline.
Co-captain Marcell Coetzee returns from serving his suspension and will form part of a five-three split impact squad that also features forwards Simphiwe Matanzima, Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Mornay Smith and Janko Swanepoel.
Zak Burger, Jaco van der Walt and Sergeal Petersen provide backline cover off the bench.
Bulls: 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 13 Stedman Gans, 12 David Kriel, 11 Canan Moodie, 10 Johan Goosen, 9 Embrose Papier, 8 Cameron Hanekom, 7 Elrigh Louw (captain), 6 Marco van Staden, 5 Reinhardt Ludwig, 4 Ruan Vermaak, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Akker van der Merwe, 1 Gerhard Steenekamp.
Replacements: 16 Simphiwe Matanzima, 17 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 18 Mornay Smith, 19 Janko Swanepoel, 20 Marcell Coetzee, 21 Zak Burger, 22 Jaco van der Walt, 23 Sergeal Petersen.
Date: Saturday, December 9
Venue: Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
Kick-off: 19.30; 17.30 UK time, 17.30 GMT)
Referee: Andrea Piardi (Italy)
Assistant referees: Benoit Rousselet (France), Filippo Russo (Italy)
TMO: Eric Gauzins (France)
