Bulls tweak team for Ulster showdown

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Bulls have made a few changes to their matchday squad that will do duty in Round Two of the 2023/24 United Rugby Championship.

The Tshwane outfit are in Belfast to take on Ulster on Sunday.

Utility back Cornal Hendricks, speedster Stravino Jacobs and flyhalf Chris Smith come into the matchday 23 for Harold Vorster (foot injury) and Jaco van der Walt.

Hendricks slots into the starting XV at inside centre whilst Smith will get a run from the impact squad. The former lines up alongside David Kriel at outside centre with Jacobs and Sebastian de Klerk on the wings.

Devon Williams will once again start at fullback.

The backline will be conducted by the halfback combination of Embrose Papier and Johan Goosen whilst the forward pack remains unchanged from the match against Scarlets.

Gerhard Steenekamp, Johan Grobbelaar and Wilco Louw line up in the front row with Ruan Vermaak and Ruan Nortje in the second row, supported Marcell Coetzee, Elrigh Louw and last week’s player of the match,
Cameron Hanekom in the third row.

Director of rugby, Jake White has opted for a five-three split which will see Akker van der Merwe, Simphiwe Matanzima, Mornay Smith, Reinhardt Ludwig, Nizaam Carr, Zak Burger, Chris Smith, and Stedman Gans will set a feature from the impact squad.

Bulls: 15 Devon Williams, 14 Sebastian de Klerk, 13 David Kriel, 12 Cornal Hendricks, 11 Stravino Jacobs, 10 Johan Goosen, 9 Embrose Papier, 8 Cameron Hanekom, 7 Elrigh Louw, 6 Marcell Coetzee (co-captain), 5 Ruan Nortje (co-captain), 4 Ruan Vermaak, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 1 Gerhard Steenekamp.
Replacements: 16 Akker van der Merwe, 17 Simphiwe Matanzima, 18 Mornay Smith, 19 Reinhardt Ludwig, 20 Nizaam Carr, 21 Zak Burger, 22 Chris Smith, 23 Stedman Gans.

Date: Sunday, October 29
Venue: Ravenhill Stadium, Belfast
Kick-off: 17.00 (17.00 GMT; 19.00 SAST)
Referee: Gianluca Gnecchi
Assistant referees: Andrew Cole, Robbie Jenkinson
TMO: Stefano Roscini