Bulls unleash Springbok stars for Lions derby
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Bulls coach Johan Ackermann has named five Springboks in his starting XV for Saturday’s Vodacom United Rugby Championship derby against the Lions at Loftus Versfeld, with Hanro Liebenberg captaining the side for the first time.
Ackermann has made sweeping changes following last week’s narrow 26-22 defeat to Munster at Thomond Park, with 10 Springboks included in the match-day 23.
Willie le Roux, Canan Moodie, Gerhard Steenekamp, Cameron Hanekom and Johan Grobbelaar all start, while Handre Pollard, Elrigh Louw, Marco van Staden and Cobus Wiese are the Springboks on the bench.
Wiese is also in line to make his 50th appearance for the Bulls.
The Lions arrive in Pretoria unbeaten after two rounds, having followed their opening-round victory over Leinster with a 35-19 bonus-point win over the Ospreys.
The Bulls, however, have won their last five URC matches at Loftus Versfeld since their defeat to the Stormers in March.
The Lions have won only one of their last six URC meetings with the Bulls – although that came at Loftus last season in a 43-33 victory.
Bulls: 15. Willie le Roux, 14. Canan Moodie, 13. Stedman Gans, 12. Harold Vorster, 11. Sebastian de Klerk, 10. Curwin Bosch, 9. Paul de Wet, 8. Cameron Hanekom, 7. Hanro Liebenberg (captain), 6. Jeandre Rudolph, 5. JF van Heerden, 4. Ruan Vermaak, 3. Francois Klopper, 2. Johan Grobbelaar, 1. Gerhard Steenekamp.
Replacements: 16. Marco van Staden, 17. Alu Tshakweni, 18. Khutha Mchunu, 19. Cobus Wiese, 20. Elrigh Louw, 21. Keagan Johannes, 22. Handre Pollard, 23. Cheswill Jooste
Date: Saturday, October 10
Venue: Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
Kick-off: 13.30 SAST; 11.30 GMT
Referee: Hanru van Rooyen (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Christopher Allison (South Africa), Jonathan Lottering (South Africa)
TMO: Aimee Barrett-Theron (South Africa)
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