By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Photo Credit: Suresh Rajcoomar/Fullview.
Vodacom Bulls have named a formidable side to host the All Blacks in the third match of the Castle Double Malt Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria on Saturday.
The squad is blended with Springbok class with returning firepower and rising Currie Cup talent.
Captain Marcell Coetzee will lead the team featuring four capped Springboks, with Willie le Roux adding vast experience out wide. There is also a welcome return for loose forward Hanro Liebenberg, back on South African soil after a productive stint with Leicester Tigers in the English Premiership.
Much of the excitement, though, centres on flyhalf Curwin Bosch, who comes into the run-on side after two years plying his trade in France. Bosch has long been regarded as one of the most gifted attacking pivots to come through South African rugby, and Bulls fans will be hoping his instinctive running game can unlock an All Blacks defence renowned for its line speed.
He will be flanked by two of the standout performers from the Vodacom URC campaign in scrumhalf Embrose Papier and loose forward Jeandre Rudolph, both of whom will be central to how the Vodacom Bulls look to play with tempo and ambition against the touring side.
On the bench, coach Johan Ackermann has entrusted a spot to Hakeem Kunene, who has impressed since arriving at Loftus for the Currie Cup and will be desperate to make his mark on the biggest stage yet. Also among the replacements is Thaakir Abrahams, the electric former Sharks and Munster wing whose pace could prove a vital weapon.
History, however, is firmly on the All Blacks’ side. In four previous meetings between the sides dating back to 1949, New Zealand have come out on top three times. The Bulls’ lone victory remains a famous one, with Northern Transvaal edging the tourists 29-27 in August 1976, a result that will mark its 50th anniversary almost to the day when the two sides meet again this weekend.
For the current Vodacom Bulls group, Saturday represents a rare chance to write a new chapter in that history, and with the blend of Springbok know-how, returning quality and emerging talent named, they will fancy their chances of springing an upset at fortress Loftus.
Ackerman promised “we’re going to go as strong as we can” this week despite missing a large swathe of players in Rassie Erasmus’s squad, and he has remained true to his word, naming several regular Bulls players alongside the Springboks.
Vodacom Bulls XV: 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Thaakir Abrahams, 13 Stedman Gans, 12 Harold Vortster, 11 Stravino Jacobs, 10 Curwin Bosch, 9 Embrose Papier; 8 Jeandre Rudolph, 7 Hanro Liebenberg, 6 Marcell Coetzee (captain), 5 JF van Heerden, 4 Ruan Vermaak, 3 Francois Klopper, 2 Juann Else, 1 Alu Tshakweni.
Replacements: 16 Jaundre Schoeman, 17 Sti Sithole, 18 Khuta Mchunu, 19 Reinhardt Ludwig, 20 Mpilo Gumede, 21 Paul de Wet, 22 Katlego Letebele, 23 Hakeem Kunene.
Meanwhile veteran hooker Codie Taylor returns from a calf injury to captain the All Blacks. The tour captain had missed Tuesday’s 54-0 demolition of the Sharks in Durban, as well as New Zealand’s opening win of the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series over the Stormers.
The All Blacks will be looking to maintain their unbeaten start before facing the Springboks at Ellis Park next Saturday.
All Blacks: 15 Beauden Barrett, 14 Leroy Carter, 13 Rieko Ioane, 12 Anton Lienert-Brown, 11 Josh Moorby, 10 Josh Jacomb, 9 Cortez Ratima, 8 Peter Lakai, 7 Anton Segner, 6 Simon Parker, 5 Patrick Tuipulotu, 4 Fabian Holland, 3 Tyrel Lomax, 2 Codie Taylor (c), 1 Xavier Numia.
Replacements: 16 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 17 George Bower, 18 Siale Lauaki, 19 Josh Lord, 20 Wallace Sititi, 21 Kyle Preston, 22 Timoci Tavatavanawai, 23 Emoni Narawa.