URC Player of the Season nominee returns for Bulls

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White has revealed his team to face Edinburgh in the United Rugby Championship quarterfinal clash on Saturday.

The Bulls’ line-up has undergone several changes, with Wilco Louw and Embrose Papier headlining the 23-man squad.

The pair did not feature in the round-robin clash against the Dragons two weeks ago but return to the starting XV as White’s team pushes for a semifinal spot.

A victory over Edinburgh would mean that the Bulls will host a second consecutive semifinal at Loftus Versfeld.

The @SharksRugby team to face @Munsterrugby https://t.co/8auhIYhCRs

— rugby365.com (@rugby365com) May 30, 2025

In the pack, United Rugby Championship Player of the Season nominee Louw joins Johan Grobbelaar and Jan-Hendrik Wessels in a new-look front row.

Louw replaces Mornay Smith, while Johan Grobbelaar takes over from Akker van der Merwe.

Veteran Marcell Coetzee gets promoted from the bench and replaces former Stormers loose forward Nama Xaba at openside flank.

In the backline, Papier gets the nod over Zak Burger, who moves to the bench.

Papier partners with Keagan Johannes in the new halfback combination.

World Cup winner Canan Moodie moves to the wing in his regular spot, while David Kriel and Harold Vorster combine in the midfield.

Marco van Staden, Simphiwe Matanzima, Mornay Smith, Jannes Kirsten, Zak Burger, Stedman Gans, and Devon Williams are on the bench.

Bulls: 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Canan Moodie, 13 David Kriel, 12 Harold Voster, 11 Sevastian de Klerk, 10 Keagan Johannes, 9 Embrose Papier, 8 Cameron Hanekom, 7 Ruan Nortje (captain), 6 Marcel Coetzee, 5 JF van Heerden, 4 Cobus Wiese, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 1 Jan-Hendrik Wessels.
Replacements: 16 Simphiwe Matanzima, 17 Akker van der Merwe, 18 Mornay Smith, 19 Marco van Staden, 20 Jannes Kirsten, 21 Zak Burger, 22 Stedman Gans, 23 Devon Williams.

Date: Saturday, May 31
Venue: Loftus Versfeld Stadium, Pretoria
Kick-off: 13.30 (12.30 UK time; 11.30 GMT)
Referee: Adam Jones (Wales)
Assistant referees: Craig Evans (Wales), Peter Martin (Ireland)
TMO: Leo Colgan (Ireland)