White makes flyhalf call as Moodie takes centre stage

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White has revealed his team to face the Dragons in the final round of the United Rugby Championship on Saturday.

And it seems the boss is leaving nothing to chance as he has named a powerful team for the encounter.

The Bulls enter the match in second place with 63 points, which is four points above Glasgow who face Leinster in the final game of the day.

White has made a few changes to his side, beginning with the front row where Jan-Hendrik Wessels is given new partners in the form of Akker van der Merwe and Mornay Smith.

Behind them, the lock pairing of Cobus Wiese and JF van Heerden is retained, whilst Kuyenzeka Nama Xaba is brought into the loose forward role to partner up with his skipper Ruan Nortje.

Mr Consistency, Cameron Hanekom, will run out at No.8 once more.

Scrumhalf Zak Burger has a new halfback partner in Keagan Johannes after Johan Goosen suffered an injury in last week’s win against Cardiff.

Behind them, Canan Moodie shifts to outside centre, which sees David Kriel moving to the inside centre role.

That opens up room for Sergeal Petersen at left wing, whilst Round 17 player of the match Sebastian de Klerk starts again at right wing.

El Maestro, Willie le Roux, will steer the ship at fullback as per tradition.

The more common five-three split bench will be deployed this weekend, which offers the side the likes of Johan Grobbelaar, Simphiwe Matanzima, Francois Klopper, Jannes Kirsten, Marcell Coetzee, Bernard van der Linde, Stedman Gans and Devon Williams to call upon.

Bulls: 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Sebastian de Klerk, 13 Canan Moodie, 12 David Kriel, 11 Sergeal Petersen, 10 Keagan Johannes, 9 Zak Burger, 8 Cameron Hanekom, 7 Ruan Nortje (captain), 6 Nama Xaba, 5 JF van Heerden, 4 Cobus Wiese, 3 Mornay Smith, 2 Akker van der Merwe, 1 Jan-Hendrik Wessels.
Replacements: 16 Johan Grobbelaar, 17 Simphiwe Matanzima, 18 Francois Klopper, 19 Jannes Kirsten, 20 Marcell Coetzee, 21 Bernard van der Linde, 22 Stedman Gans, 23 Devon Williams.

Date: Saturday, May 17
Venue: Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
Kick-off: 15.00 (14.00 UK & Ireland time; 13.00 GMT)
Referee: Andrew Brace (Ireland)
Assistant referees: Marius van der Westhuizen (South Africa), AJ Jacobs (South Africa)
TMO: Olly Hodges (Ireland)