The Vodacom Bulls are leaving nothing to chance as they welcome Dragons RFC to Loftus Versfeld Stadium, Saturday, 17 May at 15:00, in round 18 of the 2024/25 Vodacom United Rugby Championship.
“Tomorrow will be an emotional encounter for sure because many of our players knew Cornal and others, like Willie, were with him from the start of their careers to their international days. Whether we talk about it or try not to, I am confident that the emotions will be high tomorrow because he was a player that was well-liked,” reflects director of rugby, Jake White.
“This is a game where we want to do well. It would be naïve of us to think it will be an easy game, and we must make sure we play as well as we can, looking at the coming weeks. These types of opponents, sometimes, are the most dangerous because they play knowing they do not need to leave anything in the tank.”
White adds: “This is one of those games that if you arrive thinking you are going to win, that mindset can come back to bite you.”
White has made a few changes to his side, beginning with the front row where Jan-hendrik Wessels is given new partners in Akker van der Merwe and Mornay Smith. Behind them, the lock pairing of Cobus Wiese and JF van Heerden is retained, whilst Kuyenzeka Nama Xaba is brought into the loose-forward role to partner up with his skipper, Ruan Nortje. Mr Consistency, Cameron Hanekom, will run out at eight once more.
Scrumhalf, Zak Burger, has a new halfback partner in Keagan Johannes, who starts at flyhalf, having played 70 minutes in that role the week before. Behind them, Canan Moodie shifts to outside centre, which sees David Kriel moving to the inside centre role. That opens up room for Sergeal Petersen at left wing, whilst round 17 player of the match Sebastian de Klerk starts again at right wing. El Maestro, Willie le Roux, will steer the ship at fullback as per tradition.
The more common five-three split impact squad will be deployed this weekend, which offers the side the likes of Johan Grobbelaar, Simphiwe Matanzima, Francois Klopper, Jannes Kirsten, Marcell Coetzee, Bernard van der Linde, Stedman Gans and Devon Williams to call upon.
Vodacom Bulls: 1. Jan-hendrik Wessels, 2. Akker van der Merwe, 3. Mornay Smith, 4. Cobus Wiese, 5. JF van Heerden, 6. Kuyenzeka Nama Xaba, 7. Ruan Nortje (c), 8. Cameron Hanekom, 9. Zak Burger, 10. Keagan Johannes, 11. Sergeal Petersen, 12. David Kriel, 13. Canan Moodie, 14. Sebastian de Klerk, 15. Willie le Roux. Replacements: 16. Johan Grobbelaar, 17. Simphiwe Matanzima, 18. Francois Klopper, 19. Jannes Kirsten, 20. Marcell Coetzee, 21. Bernard van der Linde, 22. Stedman Gans, 23. Devon Williams.