By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Photo Credit: Suresh Rajcoomar /Fullview.
The Vodacom Bulls bolstered their starting pack and reshuffled the backline for this weekend’s United Rugby Championship (URC) Round 16 clash against the Scarlets.
The Bulls head into the clash sitting eighth on the URC standings with just three rounds remaining.
Despite the Welsh side occupying 14th spot, Coach Johan Ackermann opted for a blend of returning stalwarts and tactical shifts.
While Gerhard Steenekamp and Johan Grobbelaar retain their spots, the inclusion of Wilco Louw at tighthead (replacing Francois Klopper) provides a massive boost to Bulls’ scrumming power. Louw is widely regarded as one of the best scrummagers in the competition, and his presence often dictates the tempo of the set-piece.
Ruan Vermaak moves from the bench into the starting number four jersey, swapping places with Cobus Wiese. This allows Bulls to maintain a high workrate engine room from the first whistle. In the loose forwards, the formidable trio of Marcel Coetzee, Elrigh Louw, and Cameron Hanekom remains intact, providing continuity in a physical back row.
The backline sees the most movement, with Canan Moodie out of the number 11 jersey (hamstring injury), Kurt-Lee Arendse returns to start on the wing, bringing his world-class finishing and high-ball skills back to the fold.
“Kurt-Lee is world class,” Ackermann said.
“He’s been unlucky this year with not having continuous games. He came back from the Boks with a sore knee and then had one or two niggles, so we hope to get a run of games with him.”
David Kriel shifts from right wing to his preferred position at fullback, replacing Devon Williams. This move makes space for Cheswill Jooste to earn a start on the wing.
Jeandre Rudolf enters the fray as the utility replacement, taking over from Sergeal Petersen, indicating a possible shift toward a more forward-heavy 6-2 bench split if needed.
The game kicks off at 8.45pm SA time.
Vodacom Bulls: David Kriel; Cheswill Jooste, Stedman Gans, Harold Vorster, Kurt-Lee Arendse; Handre Pollard, Embrose Papier; Cameron Hanekom, Elrigh Louw, Marcell Coetzee (capt), Ruan Nortje, Ruan Vermaak, Wilco Louw, Johan Grobbelaar, Gerhard Steenekamp.
Replacements: Marco van Staden, Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Francois Kloppers, Cobus Wiese, Celimpilo Gumede, Paul de Wet, Willie le Roux, Jeandre Rudolph.