Pollard and Le Roux start for Bulls against Sharks

The Vodacom Bulls have named a vastly reshaped match-day squad for Saturday’s Vodacom United Rugby Championship clash against the Sharks, with several frontline stars returning after last week’s line-up against Northampton.

Willie le Roux slots in at fullback, Handré Pollard returns at flyhalf and Embrose Papier takes over at scrumhalf. David Kriel and Sebastian de Klerk are recalled to the midfield and wing respectively, adding experience and strike power alongside Harold Vorster and Stravino Jacobs.

Up front, Gerhard Steenekamp, Johan Grobbelaar and Wilco Louw form a heavyweight front row, while Jeandre Rudolph comes in at blindside flank. Elrigh Louw captains the side from No 7, with JJ Theron completing the loose trio.

The replacements have also been reinforced, with Akker van der Merwe, Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Reinhardt Ludwig and Devon Williams joining Nizaam Carr, Paul de Wet, and Stedman Gans.

In total, 11 changes have been made to the starting XV, reflecting a deliberate shift from rotation to full-strength selection. The Bulls will be looking to impose themselves physically and clinically in Durban, with Pollard and Le Roux’s leadership expected to steady the ship.

Saturday’s clash promises to be a high-stakes encounter as the Bulls aim to bounce back and build momentum heading into the festive period.

Bulls head coach Johan Ackermann said: “We’re under no illusions - this will be a great challenge and one we’re looking forward to. The Sharks are a quality side with quality players. Our focus is on ourselves. There are a lot of things we need to correct and we need to be at our best. We have a lot of respect for the Sharks. Hopefully we put in a good performance.”

Hollywoodbets Sharks starting XV: 15 Hakeem Kunene, 14 Edwill van der Merwe, 13 Ethan Hooker, 12 Andre Esterhuizen (capt), 11 Makazole Mapimpi; 10 Jordan Hendrikse, 9 Grant Williams; 8 Phepsi Buthelezi, 7 Vincent Tshituka, 6 Siya Kolisi; 5 Emile van Heerden, 4 Jason Jenkins; 3 Hanro Jacobs, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Phatu Ganyane. Replacements: 16 Eduan Swart, 17 Lee-Marvin Mazibuko, 18 Mawande Mdanda, 19 Marvin Orie, 20 Matt Romao, 21 Nick Hatton, 22 Jaden Hendrikse, 23 George Whitehead.

Vodacom Bulls starting XV: 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Sebastian de Klerk, 13 David Kriel, 12 Harold Vorster, 11 Stravino Jacobs; 10 Handre Pollard, 9 Embrose Papier; 8 JJ Theron, 7 Elrigh Louw (capt), 6 Jeandre Rudolph; 5 JF van Heerden, 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 Reinhardt Ludwig, 20 Nizaam Carr, 21 Paul de Wet, 22 Stedman Gans, 23 Devon Williams.

SATURDAY

Hollywoodbets Sharks v Vodacom Bulls

Hollywoodbets Kings Park, Durban – KO 4pm IRE & UK/5pm ITA/6pm SA

Referee: Griffin Colby (SARU, 9th league game)

AR 1: Aimee Barrett-Theron (SARU) AR 2: AJ Jacobs (SARU)

TMO: Marius Jonker (SARU)

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