No Serfontein or Jooste for Bulls' massive clash with Leinster

The Vodacom Bulls have lost two of their best early-season performers in Jan Serfontein and Cheswill Jooste, both of whom succumbed to injury - shoulder and hamstring respectively - during last weekend’s Vodacom United Rugby Championship season-opener against the Ospreys.

Serfontein’s place is taken by experienced Harold Vorster for this Saturday’s game against Leinster (kick-off 6.30pm) while Sebastian de Klerk shifts to right wing to accommodate Stravino Jacobs on the left.

Following Cobus Wiese’s HIA last weekend, Nicolaas Janse van Rensburg, who filled in with aplomb, starts this Saturday with Sintu Manjezi earning a place on the bench.

The Bulls forward pack performed with muscle against the Ospreys, so it is heartening to see the pack largely unchanged for the Leinster challenge. Known for their pace and organisation, the Irish also boast an aggressive set-piece, which the Bulls will have to meet with their usual physical style.

Coach Johan Ackermann acknowledged that his team required polish after their first match but believes he has the players to do so. The match fitness, too, needs attention but he expects this to improve as the competition rolls on.

Saturday will be the team’s final match before they tour Ireland and Scotland. With such tours often proving difficult and unrelenting, it’s vital the Bulls take every chance this weekend.

Leinster are wounded and this makes them doubly dangerous.

Vodacom Bulls starting XV: Devon Williams, 14 Sebastian de Klerk, 13 David Kriel, 12 Harold Vorster, 11 Stravino Jacobs; 10 keagan Johannes, 9 Embrose Papier; 8 JJ Theron, 7 Mpilo Gumede, 6 Marcell Coetzee (capt); 5 JF van Heerden, 4 Nicolaas Janse van Rensburg; 3 Mornay Smith, 2 Johann Grobbelaar, 1 Gerhard Steenekamp. Replacements: 16 Juann Else, 17 Alulutho Tshakweni, 18 Francois Klopper, 19 Sintu Manjezi, 20 Nama Xaba, 21 Zak Burger, 22 Stedman Gans, 23 Willie le Roux.

SATURDAY

Vodacom Bulls v Leinster

Loftus Versfeld Stadium, Pretoria – KO 5.30pm IRE & UK/6.30pm ITA & SA

Referee: Adam Jones (WRU, 46th league game)

AR 1: Sean Miller (SARU) AR 2: AJ Jacobs (SARU)

TMO: Gianluca Gnecchi (FIR)

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