By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Photo Credit: Suresh Rajcoomar /Fullview.
Vodacom Bulls made several changes to the squad for the clash against Zebre in the penultimate round of the United Rugby Championship (URC).
The most notable change occurs in the backline, where Willie le Roux moves from the bench to start at flyhalf, replacing Handre Pollard, who shifts to the replacements.
In the back three, the Bulls introduce fresh firepower with Kurt-Lee Arendse returning at fullback and Cheswill Jooste earning a start on the wing, while Canan Moodie shifts from the wing to outside centre.
In the pack, the front row sees a complete overhaul from the Dragons fixture. Jan-Hendrik Wessels and Marco van Staden move from the bench into the starting XV at loosehead and hooker respectively, joined by the powerful Wilco Louw at tighthead.
Beyond the front-row changes, JF van Heerden earns a start in the second row, replacing Ruan Nortje, while Ruan Vermaak moves into the starting lock position.
Captain Marcell Coetzee remains a fixture but shifts to the blindside, making room for Jeandre Rudolph to start at openside. Cameron Hanekom retains his spot at No 8.
A fresh pairing of Paul de Wet and Willie le Roux will direct play, with the previous starting duo of Embrose Papier and Pollard providing experience from the bench.
The Bulls are seventh on the log and targeting back-to-back wins on the Highveld against Italian clubs, with Benetton arriving next week.
Bulls Squad – 15 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 14 Cheswill Jooste, 13 Canan Moodie, 12 Harold Vorster, 11 Sergeal Petersen, 10 Willie le Roux, 9 Paul de Wet, 8 Cameron Hanekom, 7 Jeandre Rudolph, 6 Marcell Coetzee, 5 JF van Heerden, 4 Ruan Vermaak, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Marco van Staden, 1 Jan-Hendrik Wessels.
Bench: 16 Johan Grobbelaar, 17 Gerhard Steenekamp, 18 Francois Klopper, 19 Cobus Wiese, 20 Mpilo Gumede, 21 Embrose Papier, 22 Handré Pollard, 23 Stedman Gans.