Bulls lose star to COVID
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Bulls have lost the services of a star forward for their United Rugby Championship Round 14 encounter with the Dragons at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.
Loose forward Elrich Louw tested positive for COVID and is in isolation, ruling him out for this week.
While Louw is ‘asymptomatic’, he has to follow the ‘isolation protocols’ and should be available to face Ulster next week.
Arno Botha returns to the starting XV at No.8, replacing Louw in one of three changes.
In the backline, Embrose Papier will start at scrumhalf, with Zak Burger providing cover from the bench.
Lionel Mapoe returns to outside centre, where he replaces Cornal Hendricks – who will come on from the bench this week.
Marcell Coetzee will once again lead his charges this week in a match the Bulls expect to a testing encounter.
The Pretoria-based side will square up against the visiting side that has been bolstered by the return of some of their international players who have recently been on duty with the Welsh side at the Six Nations.
Dragons were, on their trip to South Africa earlier in the week, joined by Wales trio Ben Carter, Leon Brown and Rhodri Williams.
The Bulls, who have claimed crucial victories in their previous two URC games against visiting teams at Loftus – a 29-24 win over Munster Rugby a fortnight ago, and a 57-12 win against Scarlets last week – will be hoping to make it three consecutive wins at home, and four on the trot after also beating Zebre Rugby 45-7 in Italy last month.
“This week we are up against a Dragons side that has welcomed back at least three of their internationals from Welsh duty, so that is a reflection of the strong team we will be facing,” Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White said.
“This is a side that is well-coached and has shown how dangerous they can be.
“They will be motivated to do well and begin their tour of South Africa on a positive note.
“We will need to be at our very best if we intend to stop this side that can pose a real challenge.”
Bulls: 15 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 14 Canan Moodie, 13 Lionel Mapoe, 12 Harold Vorster, 11 Madosh Tambwe, 10 Chris Smith, 9 Embrose Papier, 8 Arno Botha, 7 Cyle Brink, 6 Marcell Coetzee (captain), 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Walt Steenkamp, 3 Jacques van Rooyen, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 1 Gerhard Steenekamp.
Replacements: 16 Joe van Zyl, 17 Simphiwe Matanzima, 18 Mornay Smith, 19 Reinhardt Ludwig, 20 WJ Steenkamp, 21 Zak Burger, 22 Morne Steyn, 23 Cornal Hendricks.
Date: Saturday, March 26
Venue: Loftus Versfeld Stadium, Pretoria
Kick-off: 19.15 (17.15 Ireland & UK; 17.15 GMT)
Referee: Frank Murphy (Ireland)
Assistant referees: Marius van der Westhuizen (South Africa), Morné Ferreira (South Africa)
TMO: Ben Blain (Scotland)
