Nortje to lead the Bulls against the Stormers

The Vodacom Bulls have confirmed their matchday squad for the highly anticipated New Year’s derby against the DHL Stormers in Cape Town on Saturday.

Head coach Johan Ackermann has made several adjustments from the side that faced the Sharks two weeks ago, with a mix of tactical changes and fresh energy injected into the lineup.

Ruan Nortje returns to lead the side, taking over the armband from Elrigh Louw, who captained against the Sharks. In the back row, Marco van Staden comes into the starting XV, while Jeandre Rudolph shifts to accommodate the reshuffle. Among the backs, Canan Moodie slots in at centre, with Harold Vorster dropping out. And Embrose Papier moves to the bench, with ex-Stormers player Paul de Wet starting at scrumhalf.

The Bulls retain a strong spine with Handré Pollard at flyhalf, Willie le Roux at fullback, and David Kriel in midfield. The all-Springbok front row of Gerhard Steenekamp, Johan Grobbelaar and Wilco Louw remains unchanged, providing stability up front.

Ackermann’s selections underline a balance between consistency and tactical tweaks, with Nortje’s leadership and Moodie’s pace expected to add fresh impetus against a Stormers side renowned for their physicality.

Ackermann emphasised the importance of clarity and energy heading into the derby: “We’ve assessed the Sharks game and made adjustments where needed. Ruan’s leadership is vital and bringing in players like Canan Moodie and Marco van Staden gives us the right balance for this contest. It’s about alignment and intensity as we start the year.

“If you look at our selection, apart from (injured) Cameron Hanekom and Kurt-Lee Arendse, we have a team we feel can compete. It’s a massive challenge playing the number one side in the competition, unbeaten and in front of a likely sellout crowd.

“We can’t ask for a bigger challenge, playing in Cape Town against an in-form Stormers side. We respect them; they’re a quality team with X-factor game-breakers and good at the set piece.”

DHL Stormers starting XV: 15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Suleiman Hartzenberg, 13 Wandisile Simelane, 12 Damian Willemse, 11 Leolin Zas; 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 9 Cobus Reinach; 8 Evan Roos, 7 Ben-Jason Dixon, 6 Ruan Ackermann; 5 JD Schickerling, 4 Salmaan Moerat (capt); 3 Neethling Fouché, 2 André-Hugo Venter, 1 Ali Vermaak. Replacements: 16 Lukhanyo Vokozela, 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18 Sazi Sandi, 19 Adré Smith, 20 Ruben van Heerden, 21 Paul de Villiers, 22 Stefan Ungerer, 23 Jurie Matthee.

Vodacom Bulls starting XV: 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Sebastian de Klerk, 13 Canan Moodie, 12 David Kriel, 11 Stravino Jacobs; 10 Handre Pollard, 9 Paul de Wet; 8 Jeandre Rudolph, 7 Elrigh Louw, 6 Marco van Staden; 5 Ruan Nortje (capt), 4 Cobus Wiese; 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 1 Gerhard Steenekamp. Replacements: 16 Akker van der Merwe, 17 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 18 Khuta Mchunu, 19 Ruan Vermaak, 20 Reinhardt Ludwig, 21 Nazeem Carr, 22 Embrose Papier, 23 Devon Williams.

SATURDAY

DHL Stormers v Vodacom Bulls

DHL Stadium, Cape Town – KO 4pm IRE & UK/5pm ITA/6pm SA

Referee: Griffin Colby (SARU, 10th league game)

AR 1: Morne Ferreira (SARU) AR 2: Sean Muller (SARU)

TMO: Marius Jonker (SARU)

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