Very Sad News: A Springboks and Vodacom Bulls Player to Undergo Surgery Today After Facing a Terrific Injury in Training!
Bulls hooker Johan Grobbelaar and Lions halfback Sanele Nohamba.
Bulls hooker Johan Grobbelaar and Lions halfback Sanele Nohamba.
The Bulls and Lions have named their teams for the only United Rugby Championship (URC) fixture this weekend.
Loftus Versfeld will host the first Jukskei derby of the year as the Bulls welcome back star hooker Johan Grobbelaar from injury.
Changes aplenty for the hosts
Bulls boss Jake White has made several changes to his starting XV that defeated Bordeaux 46-40 in the Investec Champions Cup last week.
Tighthead prop Mornay Smith is the only front-rower to retain his starting role as loosehead prop Simphiwe Matanzima moves from the bench to join him and hooker Akker van der Merwe. Last week’s starters, Gerhard Steenekamp and Jan-Hendrik Wessels, both drop out of the matchday 23.
In the locks, Ruan Nortje skippers the side and is partnered by Deon Slabbert, with Reinhardt Ludwig providing cover on the bench.
Springboks flanker Marco van Staden returns and features in a formidable back-row along with fellow international Elrigh Louw and rising star Mpilo Gumede at number eight.
Embrose Papier and Johan Goosen are the starting half-backs once again, while Harold Vorster comes in at number 12, with David Kriel shifting to the outside centre. Sergeal Petersen and Sebastian de Klerk are the starting wingers, with Willie le Roux at full-back.
White has opted for a 6-2 split on the bench with Grobbelaar, Dylan Smith, Khutha Mchunu, Ludwig, Cameron Hanekom and Marcell Coetzee covering the forwards and Keagan Johannes and Devon Williams the backs.
