Bulls spring surprise at flyhalf

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Bulls made a surprise announcement at flyhalf for their United Rugby Championship semifinal clash against the Sharks at Loftus Versveld.

Playmaker Johan Goosen returns to match fitness and slots right into the starting line-up.

Goosen is the only change to the starting line-up that defeated Edinburgh in the quarterfinal a week ago.

Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White has opted for consistency, making one other change to the team, bringing in Alulutho Tshakweni onto the bench squad whilst Keagan Johannes shifts to the bench with the return of Goosen.

Akker van der Merwe, Mornay Smith, Jannes Kirsten, Marco van Staden, Zak Burger and Devon Williams have all been named on the bench as well.

Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Johan Grobbelaar and Wilco Louw line-up in the front row while Cobus Wiese and JF van Heerden combine at lock to form the tight five.

Marcell Coetzee and captain Ruan Nortje do duty at loose forward with Cameron Hanekom at No.8 completing the pack.

Embrose Papier will lace up his boots alongside Goosen as the halfback combination.

Behind them is the unchanged backline of Sebastian de Klerk, Harold Vorster, David Kriel, Canan Moodie and Willie le Roux.

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 Cameron Hanekom, 7 Ruan Nortje (captain), 6 Marcell Coetzee, 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 Marco van Staden, 21 Zak Burger, 22 Keagan Johannes, 23 Devon Williams.

Date: Saturday, June 7
Venue: Loftus Versveld, Pretoria
Kick-off: 18.15 (16.15 GMT)
Referee: Andrew Brace (Ireland)
Assistant referees: Sam Grove-White (Scotland), Adam Jones (Wales)
TMO: Mike Adamson (Scotland)