Vodacom Bulls unveil URC squad with Nortje at the helm

Springbok forward Ruan Nortje will captain the Vodacom Bulls in this season’s Vodacom United Rugby Championship, which begins later this month.

In confirming the appointment, new coach Johan Ackermann explained that he was satisfied that the squad had several leaders within, particularly if Nortje is drawn away for national duty.

The Bulls squad has an encouraging blend of experience and some exciting new talent.

What is evident is that there is healthy competition for every position where some seasoned campaigners have joined the squad with several talented young players also stepping up.

Among this season’s recruits are Handre Pollard - back in Bulls colours for the first time in six years - plus Jan Serfontein, who returns to Loftus Versfeld after eight successful years in France. There are places, too, for ex-Montpellier grafter Nicolaas Janse van Rensburg, former Stormers scrumhalf Paul de Wet and Cheetahs hard man Jeandre Rudolph, who had a storming Carling Currie Cup.

The injury list remains significant - players like Elrigh Louw, Nizaam Carr, Akker van der Merwe, Ruan Vermaak and Cameron Hanekom are undergoing rehabilitation - but medical staff are working hard to ensure the first squad of the season, for the opening match against the Ospreys on September 27, is fit and hardened.

Among the most promising emerging players to look out for are Junior Boks Esethu Mnebelele, No 8 JJ Theron, prop Jean Erasmus and wing Cheswill Jooste.

SQUAD

Forwards (32)

1 Alu Tshakweni; Gerhard Steenekamp; Jan Hendrik Wessels; Sti Sithole; Ruan Swart

2 Johan Grobbelaar; Akker van der Merwe; Juann Else; Esethu Mnebelele

3 Wilco Louw; Francois Klopper; Mornay Smith; Jean Erasmus; Khuta Mchunu

4 JF van Heerden; Ruan Nortje; Ruan Vermaak; Jaco Grobbelaar; Sintu Manjezi

5 Reinhardt Ludwig; Cobus Wiese; Nicolaas Janse van Rensburg

6 Marco v Staden; Marcell Coetzee; Nama Xaba

7 Jannes Kirsten; Nizaam Carr; Elrich Louw

8 Cameron Hanekom; Mpilo Gumede; JJ Theron; Jeandre Rudolph

Backs (24)

9 Embrose Papier; Paul de Wet; Zak Burger; Steven Nel

10 Handre Pollard; Keagan Johannes; Johan Goosen

11 Stravino Jacobs; Sergeal Petersen; Kurt-Lee Arendse

12 Harold Vorster; Jan Serfontein; PA van Niekerk; Chris Barend Smit

13 David Kriel; Stedman Gans; Katlego Letebele

14 Sebastian de Klerk; Canan Moodie; Cheswill Jooste; Aphiwe Dyantyi

15 Willie le Roux; Devon Williams; Henry Immelman