No Hanekom as Bulls tweak pack
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White has named his team to face the Sharks at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.
White made minor tweaks to the Bulls side that recorded a historic 33-32 win over the Stormers last week at the Cape Town Stadium.
All the changes are in the pack, with the most significant being the absence of Springbok Cameron Hanekom in the No.8 jersey.
Following his man-of-the-match performance in Cape Town, the loose forward will miss this weekend’s encounter against the Sharks.
Hanekom is replaced by Nizaam Carr, who joins the starting XV from the bench.
And a few returning from the Test wilderness 👀👇🏻https://t.co/ussgbFAKYS
— rugby365.com (@rugby365com) February 14, 2025
Another big move is Marco van Staden’s return. Known as Eskom, Van Staden is at flank and replaces Marcell Coetzee.
In the second row, Ruan Vermaak comes in at lock. He replaces Cobus Wiese, who sustained a knee injury against the Stormers.
The backline is unchanged with veteran Willie le Roux and Embrose Papier continuing their partnership at halfback.
On the bench, former Sharks duo Mpilo Gumede and Aphiwe Dyantyi make their return and will be the reinforcements.
Jannes Kirsten is the other change to the bench.
Bulls: 15 Devon Williams, 14 Canan Moodie, 13 David Kriel, 12 Harold Vorster, 11 Sergeal Petersen, 10 Willie le Roux, 9 Embrose Papier, 8 Nizaam Carr, 7 Reinhardt Ludwig (Captain), 6 Marco van Staden, 5 JF van Heerden, 4 Ruan Vermaak, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Johann Grobbelaar, 1 Jan-Hendrik Wessels
Replacements: 16 Akker van der Merwe, 17 Gerhard Steenekamp, 18 Francois Klopper, 19 Jannes Kirsten, 20 Mpilo Gumede, 21 Zak Burger, 22 Boeta Chamberlain, 23 Aphiwe Dyantyi
Date: Saturday, February 15
Venue: Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
Kick-off: 17.00 (15.00 GMT)
Referee : Marius van der Westhuizen
Assistant Referees: Morne Ferreira & Sean Muller
TMO: Quinton Immelman
