Bulls welcome Nortje and Matanzima back to face Zebre

Vodacom Bulls skipper Ruan Nortje and front rower Simphiwe Matanzima are both set to return to match action this weekend - Saturday - when the side takes on Italians of Zebre Parma in Round 14 of the 2024/25 Vodacom United Rugby Championship at Loftus Versfeld stadium.

Both Matanzima and Nortje have been sidelined by injury and illness but have since regained full match fitness. They will get their opportunity in the game from the six-two split impact squad that also sees a call into the matchday 23 for flyhalf Boeta Chamberlain. Chamberlain is one of two backline players on standby for duty, alongside scrumhalf Embrose Papier. The rest of the forwards include Akker van der Merwe, Wilco Louw, Marco van Staden and Nizaam Carr.

On the field, the starting XV sees a front-row combination featuring Alulutho Tshakweni, Jan-hendrik Wessels and Mornay Smith. All three did duty against Leinster in the previous round and will be looking to maintain their good form from a week back. Lock duo Ruan Vermaak and JF van Heerden have been retained, likewise the two flankers in matchday skipper Marcell Coetzee and Jannes Kirsten. Celimpilo ka Gumede shifts up from the bench last week to start at No 8 against the side from Emilia-Romagna.

At halfback, Zak Burger starts at scrumhalf to partner up with Keagan Johannes, who has been retained at flyhalf.

Stravino ‘Rocketman’ Jacobs has a new partner in Sergeal Petersen. The two will get a run at left and right wings with Harold Vorster and David Kriel pairing up in the midfield. Devon Williams provides cover at fullback with his stealthy left boot.

The match kicks off at 2.45pm and tickets are available from Ticketpro for as little as R50 with children under 18 entering the stadium for free for this matchday.

Vodacom Bulls starting XV: 15 Devon Williams, 14 Sergeal Petersen, 13 David Kriel, 12 Harold Vorster, 11 Stravino Jacobs; 10 Keagan Johannes, 9 Zak Burger; 8 Celimpilo ka Gumede, 7 Jannes Kirsten, 6 Marcell Coetzee (capt); 5 JF van Heerden, 4 Ruan Vermaak; 3 Mornay Smith, 2 Jan-hendrik Wessels, 1 Alulutho Tshakweni. Replacements: 16 Simphiwe Matanzima, 17 Akker van der Merwe, 18 Wilco Louw, 19 Ruan Nortje, 20 Marco van Staden, 21 Nizaam Carr, 22 Embrose Papier, 23 Boeta Chamberlain.

SATURDAY

Vodacom Bulls v Zebre Parma

Loftus Versfeld Stadium, Pretoria – KO 12.45pm IRE & UK/1.45pm ITA/2.45pm SA

Referee: Mike Adamson (SRU, 88th league game)

AR 1: Cwengile Jadezweni (SARU) AR 2: Sean Muller (SARU)

TMO: Sam Grove-White (SRU)

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