Forgotten Springboks answers Bulls’ call
Two Springboks have been recalled into to Bulls’ starting lineup for Saturday’s Jukskei derby against the Lions.
Forgotten Springboks Marco van Staden and Elrigh Louw have been selected in a much-changed Bulls team to front the Lions at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria on Saturday.
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Bulls boss Jake White has made a string of changes to his team for the Vodacom URC derby, six of which came among the forwards, where loose forwards Louw and Van Staden start in the back row alongside Mpilo Gumede, who shifts to No 8.
Loosehead prop Simphiwe Matanzima and former Springboks hooker Akker van der Merwe start after playing off the bench in last weekend’s Champions Cup win against Bordeaux, while Deon Slabbert partners Ruan Nortje, who takes over the captaincy in the wake of Marcell Coetzee dropping to the bench.
Sergeal Petersen is recalled to start on the left wing in place of Devon Williams, while Harold Vorster returns to the No 12 jersey, causing David Kriel to shift across to outside centre in the backline changes.
Fit-again hooker Johan Grobbelaar could make his first appearance since November after being named on a bench that features a six-two split between forwards and backs.
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BULLS TEAM STACKED WITH SPRINGBOKS
Bulls — 15 Willie Le Roux, 14 Sebastian de Klerk, 13 David Kriel, 12 Harold Voster, 11 Sergeal Petersen, 10 Johan Goosen, 9 Embrose Papier, 8 Mpilo Gumede, 7 Elrigh Louw, 6 Marco van Staden, 5 Ruan Nortje (captain), 4 Deon Slabbert, 3 Mornay Smith, 2 Akker van der Merwe, 1 Simphiwe Matanzima.
Subs: 16 Johan Grobbelaar, 17 Dylan Smith, 18 Khutha Mchunu, 19 Reinhardt Ludwig, 20 Cameron Hanekom, 21 Keagan Johannes, 22 Devon Williams, 23 Marcell Coetzee.
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