Vodacom Bulls skipper Ruan Nortje and front rower Simphiwe Matanzima are both set to return to match action this weekend – Saturday, 29 March – when the side takes on the Italians of Zebre Parma in round 14 of the 2024/25 Vodacom United Rugby Championship at Loftus Versfeld stadium.
Both Matanzima and Nortje have been sidelined by injury and illness but have since regained full match fitness. They will get their opportunity in the game from the six-two split impact squad that also sees a call into the matchday xxiii for fly half Boeta Chamberlain. Chamberlain is one of two backline players on standby for duty, alongside scrum half Embrose Papier. The rest of the forwards include Akker van der Merwe, Wilco Louw, Ruan Nortje, Marco van Staden and Nizaam Carr.
On the field, the starting XV sees a front-row combination featuring Alulutho Tshakweni, Jan-Hendrik Wessels and Mornay Smith. All three did duty against Leinster in the previous round and will be looking to maintain their good form from a week back. Lock duo Ruan Vermaak and JF van Heerden have been retained, likewise the two flankers in matchday skipper Marcell Coetzee and Jannes Kirsten. Celimpilo ka Gumede shifts up from the impact last week to start at eight against the side from Emilia-Romagna.
At halfback, Zak Burger starts at scrum half to partner up with Keagan Johanne,s who has been retained at flyhalf.
Stravino ‘Rocketman’ Jacobs has a new partner in Sergeal Petersen. The two will get a run at left and right wing of the park with Harold Vorster and David Kriel pairing up in the midfield. Devon Williams provides cover at fullback with his stealthy left boot.
Vodacom Bulls: 1. Alulutho Tshakweni, 2. Jan-hendrik Wessels, 3. Mornay Smith, 4. Ruan Vermaak, 5. JF van Heerden, 6. Marcell Coetzee (c), 7. Jannes Kirsten, 8. Celimpilo ka Gumede, 9. Zak Burger, 10. Keagan Johannes, 11. Stravino Jacobs, 12. Harold Vorster, 13. David Kriel, 14. Sergeal Petersen, 15. Devon Williams. Replacements: 16. Simphiwe Matanzima, 17. Akker van der Merwe, 18. Wilco Louw, 19. Ruan Nortje, 20. Marco van Staden, 21. Nizaam Carr, 22. Embrose Papier, 23. Boeta Chamberlain
