Bulls recall stalwarts for Munster showdown
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Bulls have made several changes to their match-day 23 for Saturday’s United Rugby Championship quarterfinal against Munster at Loftus Versfeld, with Johan Ackermann recalling experience for the knockout clash.
*Also read: URC, Quarterfinals: Glasgow Warriors v Connacht – Teams and Prediction
The most notable changes from the side that faced Benetton come in the backline, where Kurt-Lee Arendse returns on the wing in place of Devon Williams, while Stravino Jacobs is promoted from the bench to the starting XV ahead of Sergeal Petersen.
In the pack, captain Marcell Coetzee returns from illness and comes into the loose trio for Jeandre Rudolph, adding vast play-off and Test experience alongside Cameron Hanekom and Elrigh Louw.
There is also a reshuffle in the second row, with Ruan Vermaak elevated from the replacements bench to partner Ruan Nortje, on the verge of 150 caps, while Cobus Wiese drops to the bench.
Marco van Staden dons the No.16 jersey as part of a six-two forward-heavy split among the substitutes.
The Bulls have otherwise retained the spine of the side that defeated Benetton, including the influential halfback pairing of Embrose Papier and Handré Pollard, as well as veteran fullback Willie le Roux.
Bulls: 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 13 Canan Moodie, 12 Harold Vorster, 11 Stravino Jacobs, 10 Handre Pollard, 9 Embrose Papier, 8 Cameron Hanekom, 7 Elrigh Louw, 6 Marcell Coetzee (captain), 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Ruan Vermaak, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 1 Gerhard Steenekamp
Replacements: 16 Marco van Staden, 17 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 18 Francois Klopper, 19 Cobus Wiese, 20 Jeandre Rudolph, 21 Paul de Wet, 22 Stedman Gans, 23 Sergeal Petersen
Date: Saturday, May 30
Venue: Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
Kick-off: 13.00 SAST (12.00 IST; 11.00 GMT)
Referee: Andrea Piardi (Italy)
Assistant referees: Federico Vedovelli (Italy), Fillipo Russo (Italy)
TMO: Matteo Liperini (Italy)
