Springbok returns for Bulls after devastating knee injury
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Almost 10 months to the day since he last played, Elrigh Louw will pull on the famous Bulls jersey against the Lions in this weekend’s United Rugby Championship showdown at Loftus Versfeld.
Ironically, his last match also came against the Lions, during which he sustained a catastrophic knee injury.
Now, after months of rehabilitation, the Springbok loose forward is primed to make his comeback off the bench in a vital match.
Louw is one of five Springboks called up by coach Johan Ackermann. Among these is hooker Akker van der Merwe, also back from injury, and Willie le Roux, who remains critical to the Bulls’ ambitions.
Reinhardt Ludwig, so successful on the recent overseas tour, retains the captaincy.
Keagan Johannes will be at flyhalf with Embrose Papier at 9.
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Bulls: 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Sebastian de Klerk, 13 David Kriel, 12 Jan Serfontein, 11 Stavino Jacobs, 10 Keagan Johannes, 9 Embrose Papier, 8 Jj Theron, 7 Reinhardt Ludwig (captain), 6 Jeandre Rudolph, 5 JF van Heerden, 4 Jaco Grobberlaar , 3 Francois Klopper, 2 Akker van der Merwe, 1 Alu Tshakweni
Replacements: 16 Jean Else; 17 Sti Sithole; 18 Mornay Smith; 19 Cobus Wiese; 20 Elrigh Louw; 21 Paul de Wet; 22 Stedman Gans; 23 Cheswill Jooste.
Date: Saturday, November 29
Venue: Loftus Versfeld Stadium, Pretoria
Kick-off: 14.00 (12.00 GMT)
Referee: Aimee Barrett-Theron (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Griffin Colby (South Africa) and Sean Muller (South Africa)
TMO: Quinton Immelman (South Africa)