Bulls name experienced side for URC opener
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Bulls have named a blend of experience and fresh faces for Saturday’s opening United Rugby Championship clash against Zebre Parma in Italy.
After reaching the URC final for a second successive season, Johan Ackermann’s side will be determined to avoid another slow start to the campaign as they look to launch an early title challenge.
The Pretoria outfit will, however, be without their frontline Springboks, who remain with the national squad in Australia for this weekend’s Rugby Championship fixture against the Wallabies.
Willie le Roux brings plenty of experience at fullback, while Sebastian de Klerk returns from a long-term injury to start on the wing opposite Stravino Jacobs.
Former Sharks flyhalf Curwin Bosch will make his competitive Bulls debut in a new halfback partnership with scrumhalf Paul de Wet, while Harold Vorster and Stedman Gans combine in midfield.
Captain Marcell Coetzee anchors the back row alongside Hanro Liebenberg and Jeandre Rudolph, with Reinhardt Ludwig and Ruan Vermaak forming the lock pairing.
The front row features Alu Tshakweni, Juann Else and Francois Klopper, while the bench includes experienced campaigner Nizaam Carr, scrumhalf Zak Burger and highly rated lock JF van Heerden.
Bulls: 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Sebastian de Klerk, 13 Stedman Gans, 12 Harold Vorster, 11 Stravino Jacobs, 10 Curwin Bosch, 9 Paul de Wet, 8 Jeandre Rudolph, 7 Hanro Liebenberg, 6 Marcell Coetzee (captain), 5 Reinhardt Ludwig, 4 Ruan Vermaak, 3 Francois Klopper, 2 Juann Else, 1 Alu Tshakweni
Replacements: 16 Janco Uys, 17 Dylan Smith, 18 Mornay Smith, 19 JF van Heerden, 20 Nizaam Carr, 21 Zak Burger, 22 Cheswill Jooste, 23 Hakeem Kunene
Date: Saturday, September 27
Venue: Stadio Lanfranchi, Parma
Kick-off: 18.30; 16.30 GMT; 18.30 SA time
Referee: Andrew Brace (IRFU, 115th league game)
Assistant referees: Franco Rosella (FIR) and Alberto Favaro (FIR)
TMO: Olly Hodges (IRFU)
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