Coetzee to captain Bulls as White opts for six-two split again
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Bulls are eyeing the scalp of their Round Five host Edinburgh as the South Africans look to complete their European travels with another successful showing in the 2023/24 United Rugby Championship.
The Tshwane-based outfit has already raked up 10 points on the road and will be hunting for more in the Scottish capital.
There are a number of changes made to matchday 23 with the exception of the backline which will see the services of Sergeal Petersen and Sebastian de Klerk retained on the wings with David Kriel and Stedman Gans combining at the centre once more whilst Mr. Consistency, Devon Williams continues to shine at fullback.
Scrumhalf, Embrose Papier will have Johan Goosen (flyhalf) as partner at halfback.
Ahead of the Papier and Goosen duo will be a forward pack led by loose-head prop, Gerhard Steenekamp, alongside hooker, Johan Grobbelaar and tight-head prop Wilco Louw.
Behind the powerful trio will be the lock combination of Ruan Vermaak alongside his co-captain and namesake, Ruan Nortje. Nortje will bind with his co-captain Marcell Coetzee who will run at blind-side flank with Elrigh Louw manning the openside flank position.
Cameron Hanekom will continue with his impressive start to the season running out as the herd’s dominant No.8.
The Bulls Director of Rugby, Jake White has opted to deploy a six-two split bench once more with Jan-Hendrik Wessels set to feature for the men in blue for the first time this season.
Jaco Van der Walt, Simphiwe Matanzima, Mornay Smith, Reinhardt Ludwig, Nizaam Carr, Keagan Johannes and Cyle Brink complete the impact ensamble
*Brink is player No.23 but will run out in jersey No.24, because of size constraints
Bulls: 15 Devon Williams, 14 Sebastian de Klerk, 13 Stedman Gans, 12 David Kriel, 11 Sergeal Petersen, 10 Johan Goosen, 9 Embrose Papier, 8 Cameron Hanekom, 7 Elrigh Louw, 6 Marchell Coetzee (captain), 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Ruan Vermaak, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Johan Grobberlaar, 1 Gerhard Steenekamp.
Replacements: 16 Simphiwe Matanzima, 17 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 18 Mornay Smith, 19 Reinhardt Ludwig, 20 Nizaam Carr, 21 Keagan Johannes, 22 Jaco van der Walt, 24 Cyle Brink
Date: Friday, November 17
Venue: Edinburgh Rugby Stadium, Edinburgh
Kick-off: 19.35 (21.35 SAST; 19.35 GMT)
Referee: Chris Busby (Ireland)
Assistant referees: Ru Campbell (Scotland), Michael Todd (Scotland)
TMO: Eoghan Cross (Ireland)
