Coetzee captains new-look Vodacom Bulls against Cheetahs

Springbok loose forward Marcell Coetzee will lead a new-look Vodacom Bulls team in their final Carling Currie Cup match of the season, against the Cheetahs on Saturday evening (kick-off 7.05pm).

Coach Johan Ackermann, who has stepped in to manage the transition between the Currie Cup and Vodacom URC, has loaded the side with VURC veterans, among them Johan Grobbelaar, Embrose Papier, David Kriel and Devon Williams.

Among the more interesting selections are dynamic lock JF van Heerden, just 21 and a hulking 2,01m figure with real potential. Jan Serfontein, the accomplished Springbok centre, also pulls on a Bulls jersey - for the first time in eight years – on his return to the capital.

Keagan Johannes will direct affairs in the No 10 jersey, while Under-20 star Cheswill Jooste gets another opportunity to stake a claim for URC action.

The bench has real bite too, with the likes of Nama Xaba, Cobus Wiese and Stedman Gans to call on.

Against this backdrop, the Bulls have a mounting injury list that now totals 24 players, all with varying degrees of injury.

Those unavailable for selection against the Cheetahs this weekend are Gerhard Steenkamp, Dylan Smith, Bryan le Roux, Khutha Mchunu, Akker van der Merwe, Joe van Zyl, Ruan Vermaak, N JV Rensburg, Reinhardt Ludwig, Elrigh Louw, Cameron Hanekom, Nizaam Carr, Corne Beets, Jeandre Rudolph, Kurt-Lee Arendse, Sergeal Petersen, Stravino Jacobs, Sti Sithole, Jean Erasmus, Chris Barend Smit, Cornel Smit, Aphiwe Dyantyi, Johan Goosen and Jannes Kirsten.

Consequently, the team’s medical staff have their hands full trying to ensure players are fit in time for the start of the Vodacom URC in three weeks’ time.

Vodacom Blue Bulls starting XV: 15 Devon Williams, 14 Cheswill Jooste, 13 David Kriel, 12 Jan Serfontein, 11 Alfonso Isaacs; 10 Keagan Johannes, 9 Embrose Papier; 8 Abri van der Westhuizen, 7 Mpilo Gumede, 6 Marcell Coetzee (capt); 5 JF van Heerden, 4 Jaco Grobbelaar; 3 Mornay Smith, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 1 Alu Tshekwani. Replacements: 16 Juann Else, 17 Ruan Swart, 18 Francois Klopper, 19 Cobus Wiese, 20 Nama Xaba, 21 Paul de Wet, 22 Harold Vorster, 23 Stedman Gans.