Bulls change one for Final showdown with Leinster
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Bulls have made one forced change to their matchday outfit for the 2024/25 United Rugby Championship Grand Final in Dublin.
The South Africans are all set for a classic clash of the titans against Leinster at Croke Park on Saturday, June 14.
Having lost URC Next-Gen player Cameron Hanekom in the semifinals, Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White has brought in Marco van Staden into the forward pack with Nizaam Carr taking Van Staden’s place on the bench in an otherwise unchanged 23 in personnel and duty.
Van Staden slots in at loose forward alongside skipper Ruan Nortje, which sees Marcell Coetzee shifting to No.8.
The tight five remains unchanged with Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Johan Grobbelaar and Wilco Louw at front row with Cobus Wiese and JF van Heerden combining at lock.
The backline remains unchanged with Sebastian de Klerk and Canan Moodie on the wings, Harold Vorster and David Kriel at centre and Bok veteran Willie le Roux, at fullback.
Halfback duo Embrose Papier and Johan Goosen, are paired up once more to direct the flow of traffic under the Dublin skies.
Nizaam Carr is the only change to the five-three bench split in favour of the forwards.
He is alongside Akker van der Merwe, Alulutho Tshakweni, Mornay Smith, Jannes Kirsten, Zak Burger, Keagan Johannes and Devon Williams.
Bulls: 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Canan Moodie, 13 David Kriel, 12 Harold Vorster, 11 Sebastian de Klerk, 10 Johan Goosen, 9 Embrose Papier, 8 Marcell Coetzee, 7 Ruan Nortje (captain), 6 Marco van Staden, 5 JF van Heerden, 4 Cobus Wiese, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 1 Jan-hendrik Wessels.
Replacements: 16 Akker van der Merwe, 17 Alulutho Tshakweni, 18 Mornay Smith, 19 Jannes Kirsten, 20 Nizaam Carr, 21 Zak Burger, 22 Keagan Johannes, 23 Devon Williams.
Date: Saturday, June 14:
Venue: Croke Park, Dublin
Kick-off: 17.00 (18.00 SAST; 16.00 GMT)
Referee: Andrea Piardi (Italy)
Assistant referees: Mike Adamson (Scotland), Sam Grove-White (Scotland)
TMO: Matteo Liperini (Italy)
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