Bulls Under-21s ready to start new season with a bang

The Vodacom Bulls Under-21 side begins their 2025 quest in the SA Rugby under-21 Cup with new goals and fresh faces in the side under new leadership. The juniors from the capital have new co-captains in Lukas Meyer and junior Springbok Juan Smal. Meyer is no stranger to captaincy, having led the Under-19 side two seasons ago to their third straight SA Rugby trophy.

There are also notable new faces who will be making their debut for the club as head coach Edgar Marutlulle hands Johnathan Eloff, Heinrich Theron and Pieter van der Merwe their maiden caps. Theron is an impressive forward at just 19 years old; likewise, his lock partner for the clash, Eloff, who will be running out against his former club - the Leopards - for the first time since moving to the capital. Van der Merwe (also 19) completes the trio of debutants and will get to run from inside centre.

There are also managerial debuts for former Vodacom Bulls forward Jacques van Rooyen, who has swapped his playing boots for the coach’s cap and whistle. Polisieman, as he was affectionately called by teammates, makes his maiden coaching appearance as the forwards coach of the side. The side will also have the opportunity to shower the new team doctor, Chris van der Merwe, with a memorable welcome to the herd.

Marutlulle’s side travels to Olen Park in Potchefstroom, where they will open their campaign against the Leopards, whom they were able to register a double against last season. The clash is set for Saturday and kick-off in the North West is scheduled for midday.

At the front, co-captain Smal will be at hooker alongside props Lithemba Mfupi and Casper Badenhorst. The debut making lock pairing of Eloff and Theron will be supported by the second co-captain Meyer and Cephas van Biljon, who both run at loose forward, with Marco Ferreira at No 8.

Scrumhalf Akha Mjawule pairs up with flyhalf Liam Koen at halfback. Hopewell Ntshangase will lace up his boots at left wing with Roelof Daniel ‘RD’ Engelbrecht on the right side of the park. Van der Merwe will have outside centre Luyolo Doyi partnering with him on his debut, with Jaydon Bantom doing duty from fullback.

Marutlulle has gone with a five-three split impact squad that features Shaun Schürmann, Mbasa Maqubela, Rouwan Mitchell, Nokutenda Mapungwana, Abri van der Westhuysen, Steven Nel, Sibongokuhle Thierry ‘JT’ Kapank and Kobus Janse van Rensburg. Janse van Rensburg had a notable and sizzling Varsity Cup run with TUKS in the SA University competition, where he was involved until the semi-finals of this year’s run.

Vodacom Bulls Under-21 starting XV: 15 Jaydon Bantom, 14 Roelof Daniel ‘RD’ Engelbrecht, 13 Luyolo Doyi, 12 Pieter van der Merwe, 11 Hopewell Ntshangase; 10 Liam Koen, 9 Akha Mjawule; 8 Marco Ferreira, 7 Cephas van Biljon, 6 Lukas Meyer (capt); 5 Heinrich Theron, 4 Johnathan Eloff; 3 Casper Badenhorst, 2 Juan Smal (capt), 1 Lithemba Mfupi. Replacements: 16 Shaun Schürmann, 17 Mbasa Maqubela, 18 Rouwan Mitchell, 19 Nokutenda Mapungwana, 20 Abri van der Westhuysen, 21 Steven Nel, 22 Sibongokuhle Thierry ‘JT’ Kapank, 23 Kobus Janse van Rensburg.