Bulls tweak their line-up for Edinburgh clash

The Vodacom Bulls have unveiled a refreshed starting XV for their Vodacom United Rugby Championship encounter with Edinburgh this weekend, building on last week's hard-fought victory over Pau. Captain Marcell Coetzee retains the armband, anchoring a pack that shows calculated rotations amid a demanding schedule, while the backline maintains its explosive edge.

Johan Grobbelaar slots in at hooker for Akker van der Merwe, with Wilco Louw starting at tighthead prop in place of Mornay Smith, who shifts to the bench. Alu Tshakweni remains as loosehead cover.

Ruan Nortje earns a start at No 5, replacing Reinhardt Ludwig, who drops to the bench while in the back row Jeandre Rudolph shifts into the No 8 jersey, with Nizaam Carr moving to the reserves.

David Kriel starts at inside centre, taking over from Harold Vorster, who shifts to the bench with experienced players Stravino Jacobs (23) and Embrose Papier (21) adding depth to the bench.

Handré Pollard, Kurt-Lee Arendse, Sebastian de Klerk, Cheswill Jooste and Willie le Roux keep their starting spots in the backline, ensuring continuity and firepower. Zak Burger continues at scrumhalf, linking the forwards' grunt with the attackers' speed.

These tweaks reflect head coach Johan Ackermann's depth management, blending experience with emerging talent to target back-to-back wins.

Jan Serfontein, Van der Merwe, Elrigh Louw, Cobus Wiese (compassion), Canan Moodie, Cameron Hanekom, Nicolaas Janse van Rensburg, Gerhard Steenekamp are unavavilble for selection this week.

Ackermann said: “Against Edinburgh, there are always tough conditions and we’ll be up against a well-coached team with internationals, some of whom have the X-factor. Edinburgh are especially good in the set piece and defence. They kick a fair bit, so we’re expecting a tough battle there. It will be cold, maybe wet but we’ll be taking confidence from our last game.”

Edinburgh Rugby head coach Sean Everitt stated: “We know exactly what the Vodacom Bulls bring. Their squad is packed with Springbok talent and they play a physical, high-intensity brand of rugby. We have to match that physicality from the very first minute if we want to come out on top.

“We are proud of our unbeaten run at Hive Stadium this season and we want to keep it that way for our fans. They have been incredible all year, and it’s vital they get behind us from the first whistle this Friday night to help us get the result this team is working so hard for.”

Vodacom Bulls starting XV: 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Cheswill Jooste, 13 Sebastian de Klerk, 12 David Kriel, 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse; 10 Handre Pollard, 9 Zak Burger; 8 Jeandre Rudolph, 7 Mpilo Gumede, 6 Marcell Coetzee (capt); 5 Ruan Nortje, 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 Reinhardt Ludwig, 20 Nizaam Carr, 21 Embrose Papier, 22 Harold Vorster, 23 Stravino Jacobs.

FRIDAY

Edinburgh Rugby v Vodacom Bulls

Hive Stadium, Edinburgh – KO 7.45pm IRE & UK/8.45pm ITA/9.45pm SA

Referee: Gianluca Gnecchi (FIR, 46th league game)

AR 1: Ru Campbell (SRU) AR 2: Jonny MacKenzie (SRU)

TMO: Stefano Penne (FIR)

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