Bulls Shake Up Their Squad Ahead Of Ellis Park Showdown

The Jukskei derby is always loud, emotional and fiercely territorial, but this weekend’s URC clash at Ellis Park arrives with even more intrigue as the Bulls head to Johannesburg with a noticeably reshuffled squad. Between injuries, Springbok management protocols and a few tactical tweaks, the Pretoria side has had a busy week behind the scenes.

A Packed Injury List Forces Quick Adjustments

The Bulls have been hit with a wave of absences that would rattle most teams. Gerhard Steenekamp, Akker van der Merwe, Ruan Nortje, Sebastian de Klerk, Cheswill Jooste and Canan Moodie are all sidelined, while Willie le Roux gets a strategic rest to manage his workload.

Yet the Bulls are not travelling light. Their front row is still a powerhouse featuring Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Johan Grobbelaar and Wilco Louw, all wearing Springbok pedigree with ease. Handre Pollard directs operations at flyhalf and Marcell Coetzee leads the group with his trademark composure.

Fresh Faces And Big Opportunities

Elrigh Louw returns at openside flank, providing a welcome burst of physicality. Mpilo Gumede moves to the bench, while Reinhardt Ludwig steps into the starting lock position after Nortje was ruled out late in the week. The always-impactful Cobus Wiese adds muscle from the bench.

At nine, Embrose Papier gets the nod ahead of Zak Burger as the Bulls aim for quicker tempo to counter a Lions side known for running hard and playing at pace. The midfield gets a complete refresh too. Harold Vorster starts at inside centre with Stedman Gans outside him. David Kriel, usually a dependable starter, shifts to the bench while De Klerk sits out due to concussion protocols.

Backline Tweaks For Altitude And Aerial Battle

With the match expected to turn into a tactical kicking contest, especially at altitude, the Bulls have opted for speed and aerial confidence in the backfield. Stravino Jacobs starts on the wing and Devon Williams slots in at fullback to stabilise the high-ball contest and spark counterattacks.

For a fixture that often turns into a test of lungs and legs on the Highveld, these selections suggest the Bulls want to play smart rather than simply absorb pressure.

The Full Matchday Squad

Bulls Starting XV:
15 Devon Williams, 14 Stravino Jacobs, 13 Stedman Gans, 12 Harold Vorster, 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 10 Handre Pollard, 9 Embrose Papier, 8 Jeandre Rudolph, 7 Elrigh Louw, 6 Marcell Coetzee (captain), 5 Reinhardt Ludwig, 4 Ruan Vermaak, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 1 Jan-Hendrik Wessels

Replacements:
16 Marco van Staden, 17 Alu Tshakweni, 18 Mornay Smith, 19 Cobus Wiese, 20 Mpilo Gumede, 21 Nizaam Carr, 22 Keagan Johannes, 23 David Kriel

{Source:SABC Sport}

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