Willie gets bench role, Bok prop back for Bulls
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Bulls head coach Johan Ackermann has included six Springboks in his starting line-up for Saturday’s United Rugby Championship Round One clash against the Ospreys in Pretoria.
This will be the first test of Ackermann’s coaching regime since being installed in the position two months ago.
Among the most significant selections are returning Springbok Gerhard Steenekamp, back from injury, Junior Springboks JJ Theron and Cheswill Jooste, and captain Marcell Coetzee.
The team boasts a robust mix of experience and new talent, all of whom have undergone strong pre-season training.
Meanwhile, injury to Johan Goosen has given Keagan Johannes an opportunity to stake a claim for the No.10 jersey, plus Jan Serfontein will be back in blue for the first time in eight years, slotting in alongside David Kriel in midfield.
Significantly, Test centurion Willie le Roux has been named on the bench and may get a crack late in the match.
Bulls: 15 Devon Williams, 14 Cheswill Jooste, 13 David Kriel, 12 Jan Serfontein, 11 Sebastian de Klerk, 10 Keagan Johannes, 9 Embrose Papier, 8 JJ Theron, 7 Mpilo Gumede, 6 Marcell Coetzee (captain), 5 JF van Heerden, 4 Cobus Wiese, 3 Mornay Smith, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 1 Gerhard Steenekamp.
Replacements: 16 Juann Else, 17 Alu Tshakweni, 18 Francois Klopper, 19 Nicolas Janse van Rensburg, 20 Nama Xaba, 21 Paul de Wet, 22 Stedman Gans, 23 Willie le Roux.
Date: Saturday, September 27
Venue: Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
Kick-off: 14.00 (13.00 UK & Ireland time; 12.00 GMT)
Referee: Federico Vedovelli (Italy)
Assistant referees: JD Jadezweni (South Africa), Dylen November (South Africa)
TMO: Peter Martin (Ireland)
