Bulls ring the changes for clash with Sharks

The Vodacom Bulls have shuffled their deck for Saturday’s key Vodacom URC match at Loftus Versfeld against the Hollywoodbets Sharks, introducing several tactical changes to the starting XV compared to the side that faced the Lions last month.

The most significant shift occurs in the back three. David Kriel moves from the bench to take over the fullback jersey from Devon Williams. He is joined by a new-look wing pairing with Sebastian de Klerk and Kurt-Lee Arendse starting out wide.

While the halfback pairing of Embrose Papier and Handre Pollard remains the stable core of the attack, the midfield sees Harold Vorster retain his spot, though he now partners with the returning Canan Moodie as Stedman Gans drops out of the matchday squad.

Up front, coach Johan Ackermann has also opted for rotation.

Jan-Hendrik Wessels shifts from loosehead prop to hooker, making room for Alulutho Tshakweni to start in the No 1 jersey. Morne Smith also moves into the starting line-up at tighthead, swapping roles with Wilco Louw, who provides cover from the bench this week.

The second row sees Ruan Nortje return to partner Ruan Vermaak, replacing Reinhardt Ludwig. In the loose trio, Nizaam Carr earns a start at eighthman, which sees Jeandre Rudolph move to the replacements. Captain Marcell Coetzee and Elrich Louw continue their hard-hitting partnership on the flanks.

The replacements’ bench features heavy international experience and versatility. Willie le Roux and Paul de Wet provide specialist cover for the backline, while Stravino Jacobs moves to the impact role after starting last month. Marco van Staden and Cobus Wiese remain the go-to options for forward reinforcements, ensuring the Vodacom Bulls maintain their physical intensity in the closing stages.

For the URC’s Origins Round, Grey College (Bloemfontein), Paarl Gym and Boland Landbou are the most represented schools in the line-up, each appearing twice.

Late-week ticket sales have been brisk but there are still tickets available for what promises to be an explosive encounter.

Vodacom Bulls starting XV: 15 David Kriel - Grey Bloem, 14 Sebastian de Klerk - Boland Landbou, 13 Canan Moodie - Boland Landbou, 12 Harold Vorster - Frans du Toit, Phalaborwa, 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse - Paulus Joubert; 10 Handre Pollard - Paarl Gym, 9 Embrose Papier - Garsfontein; 8 Nizaam Carr - Bishops, 7 Elrich Louw - Transvalia, 6 Marcell Coetzee (capt) - Port Natal; 5 Ruan Nortje - Wonderboom, 4 Ruan Vermaak - Monument; 3 Morne Smith - Eldoraigne, 2 Jan Hendrik Wessels - Grey Bloem, 1 Alulutho Tshakweni - Hudson Park High School. Replacement: 16 Marco van Staden - Bekker Landbou, 17 Sti Sithole - Westville, 18 Wilco Louw - HTS Drostdy, 19 Cobus Wiese - Upington, 20 Jeandre Rudolph - Oakdale, 21 Paul de Wet - Paarl Boys High, 22 Willie le Roux - Paul Roos, 23 Stravino Jacobs - Paarl Gym.

Hollywoodbets Sharks starting XV: 15 Jaco Williams - Glenwood High School, 14 Edwill van der Merwe - Paul Roos Gimnasium, 13 Jurenzo Julius - Paul Roos Gimnasium, 12 Andre Esterhuizen (capt) - Hoerskool Klerksdorp, 11 Makazole Mapimpi - Jim Mvabaza Senior Secondary School; 10 Jordan Hendrikse - Glenwood High School, 9 Jaden Hendrikse - Glenwood High School; 8 Phepsi Buthelezi - Durban High School, 7 Vincent Tshituka - Northcliff High School, 6 Tino Mavesere - Churchill Boys High School; 5 Emile van Heerden - Paarl Boys High School, 4 Jason Jenkins - St Albans College; 3 Vincent Koch - Huguenot High School, 2 Eduan Swart - Hoȅrskool Oos-Moot, 1 Ox Nche - HTS Louis Botha Technical School. Replacements: 16 Fez Mbatha - Martizburg College, 17 Phatu Ganyane - Glenwood High School, 18 Hanro Jacobs - Paul Roos Gimnasium, 19 Corne Rahl - Hoȅr Landbouskool Oakdale, 20 Thomas Dyer - Hilton College, 21 Ross Braude - Grey College, 22 Siya Masuku - Piet Retief High School, 23 Yaw Penxe - Queens College.

SATURDAY

Vodacom Bulls v Hollywoodbets Sharks

Loftus Versfeld Stadium, Pretoria – KO 3pm IRE & UK/4pm ITA/5pm SA

Referee: Morne Ferreira (SARU, 21st league game)

AR 1: Griffin Colby (SARU) AR 2: Jonathan Lottering (SARU)

TMO: Quinton Immelman (SARU)

Live on: SuperSport, Premier Sports, Flo Rugby & URC.tv