Ackermann shuffles Bulls pack for Edinburgh clash
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Bulls coach Johan Ackermann has rolled the dice in selecting his team to face an Edinburgh side loaded to the brim with Scotland internationals.
Young gun Cheswill Jooste will face his starkest reality in a game set to take place in very harsh weather conditions at the Hive Stadium against a powerful Edinburgh side.
Marcell Coetzee retains the armband, anchoring a pack that shows calculated rotations amid a demanding schedule, while the backline maintains its explosive edge.
Up front, Johan Grobbelaar slots in at hooker for Akker van der Merwe, with Wilco Louw stars at tighthead prop in place of Mornay Smith, who shifts to the bench, and Alu Tshakweni remains as loosehead cover.
Ruan Nortje earns a start at No 5, replacing Reinhardt Ludwig, who drops to the bench, and in the back row, Jeandre Rudolph shifts into the No. 8 jersey, with Nizaam Carr moving to the reserves.
Handré Pollard, Kurt-Lee Arendse, De Klerk, Cheswill Jooste, and Willie le Roux hold their starting spots in the backline.
Zak Burger continues at scrumhalf with Embrose Papier warming the bench.
Players unavailable for selection are: Jan Serfontein, Akker van der Merwe, Elrigh Louw, Cobus Wiese (compassion), Canan Moodie, Cameron Hanekom, Nicolaas Janse van Rensburg and Gerhard Steenekamp.
Bulls: 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Cheswill Jooste, 13 Sebastian de Klerk, 12 David Kriel, 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 10 Handre Pollard, 9 Zak Burger, 8 Jeandre Rudolph, 7 Mpilo Gumede, 6 Marcell Coetzee (captain), 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Ruan Vermaak, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 1 Jan-Hendrik Wessels
Replacements: 16 Marco van Staden, 17 Alu Tshakweni, 18 Mornay Smith, 19 Reinhardt Ludwig, 20 Nizaam Carr, 21 Embrose Papier, 22 Harold Vorster, 23 Stravino Jacobs
Date: Friday, January 23
Venue: Hive Stadium, Edinburgh
Kick-off: 19.45 GMT (21.45 SAST)
Referee: Gianluca Gnecchi (Italy)
Assistant referees: Ru Campbell (Scotland), Jonny MacKenzie (Scotland)
TMO: Stefano Penne (Italy)
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