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Bulls bring back big guns for Stormers showdown

By @rugby365com
Friday 13 Mar 2026

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Bulls have recalled some of their most experienced forwards to set the tone early in Saturday’s United Rugby Championship derby against the Stormers at Loftus Versfeld.

Gerhard Steenekamp, Johan Grobbelaar, and Wilco Louw all return to the starting front row, with Alulutho Tshakweni, Jan-Hendrik Wessel,s and Mornay Smith shifting to the bench after starting against the Sharks two weeks ago.

In the loose forwards, there is a rotation at No.8, where in-form Jeandre Rudolph earns a start after impressing off the bench. Captain Marcell Coetzee and Elrigh Louw retain their places in the starting line-up.

The Bulls have opted for continuity in the backline, with no changes to the starting combination. The halfback pairing of Embrose Papier and Handré Pollard continues, while Kurt-Lee Arendse, Sebastian de Klerk, and David Kriel once again form the back three.

Cobus Wiese and Marco van Staden, who is set to make his 100th first-class appearance for the Bulls, provide forward cover on the bench, with Paul de Wet and Willie le Roux offering experience as backline replacements.

Unavailable due to injury are Sintu Manjezi, Stravino Jacobs, Cameron Hanekom, Akker van der Merwe, Nama Xaba, and Jannes Kirsten.

Bulls: 15 David Kriel, 14 Sebastian de Klerk, 13 Canan Moodie, 12 Harold Vorster, 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 10 Handré Pollard, 9 Embrose Papier, 8 Jeandre Rudolph, 7 Elrigh Louw, 6 Marcell Coetzee (captain), 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Ruan Vermaak, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 1 Gerhard Steenekamp.
Replacements: 16 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 17 Alu Tshakweni, 18 Mornay Smith, 19 Cobus Wiese, 20 Nizaam Carr, 21 Marco van Staden, 22 Paul de Wet, 23 Willie le Roux.

Date: Saturday, March 14
Venue: Loftus Versfeld Stadium, Pretoria
Kick-off: 14.00 SAST; 12.00 GMT
Referee: Marius van der Westhuizen (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Morne Ferreira (South Africa), Griffin Colby (South Africa)
TMO: Marius Jonker (South Africa)

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