Today at Loftus Versfeld, the Vodacom Bulls will target their third victory in a row when they line up against the Hollywoodbets Sharks, who will have their sights set on making up for their disappointing result against the Lions last week, as well as trying to clinch the SA Shield.
Adding to the visitors’ motivation, they will be determined to possibly force their way into the top eight with only six pool matches remaining after this clash, while they will also want to make amends for their 21-12 defeat against the Hollywoodbets Sharks in Durban.
The men in blue will enter the match with a superior position on the table, as well as attack and defence statistics, with 263 points scored to the Durbanites’ 244, and 34 points fewer conceded, but anything can happen in local derbies, and given the high stakes for all the teams with the competition nearing the business end, it is expected to be a humdinger of a clash.
The Vodacom Bulls have shuffled their deck for Saturday’s key Vodacom URC match at Loftus Versfeld against the Hollywoodbets Sharks, introducing several tactical changes to the starting XV compared to the side that faced the Lions last month.
The most significant shift occurs in the back three. David Kriel moves from the bench to take over the fullback jersey from Devon Williams. He is joined by a new-look wing pairing with Sebastian de Klerk and Kurt-Lee Arendse starting out wide.
While the halfback pairing of Embrose Papier and Handre Pollard remains the stable core of the attack, the midfield sees Harold Vorster retain his spot, though he now partners with the returning Canan Moodie as Stedman Gans drops out of the matchday squad.
Up front, coach Johan Ackermann has also opted for rotation.
Jan-Hendrik Wessels shifts from loosehead prop to hooker, making room for Alulutho Tshakweni to start at loosehead. Morne Smith also moves into the starting line-up at tighthead, swapping roles with Wilco Louw, who provides cover from the bench this week.
The second row sees Ruan Nortje return to partner Ruan Vermaak, replacing Reinhardt Ludwig. In the loose trio, Nizaam Carr earns a start at eighthman, which sees Jeandre Rudolph move to the replacements. Captain Marcell Coetzee and Elrich Louw continue their hard-hitting partnership on the flanks.
The replacements’ bench features heavy international experience and versatility. Willie le Roux and Paul de Wet provide specialist cover for the backline, while Stravino Jacobs moves to the impact role after starting last month. Marco van Staden and Cobus Wiese remain the go-to options for forward reinforcements, ensuring the Vodacom Bulls maintain their physical intensity in the closing stages.
Head coach JP Pietersen has welcomed back Springboks Ox Nche, Vincent Koch, Phepsi Buthelezi, Jordan Hendrikse, Makazole Mapimpi and Esterhuizen to the starting line-up as he looks to provide leadership and experience to his team against the old foe.
Teams:
Vodacom Bulls: 15 David Kriel, 14 Sebastian de Klerk, 13 Canan Moodie, 12 Harold Vorster, 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 10 Handre Pollard, 9 Embrose Papier; 8 Nizaam Carr, 7 Elrich Louw, 6 Marcell Coetzee (c), 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Ruan Vermaak, 3 Morne Smith, 2 Jan Hendrik Wessels, 1 Alulutho Tshakweni. Replacements: 16 Marco van Staden, 17 Sti Sithole, 18 Wilco Louw, 19 Cobus Wiese, 20 Jeandre Rudolph, 21 Paul de Wet, 22 Willie le Roux, 23 Stravino Jacobs.
Hollywoodbets Sharks: 15 Jaco Williams, 14 Edwill van der Merwe, 13 Jurenzo Julius, 12 Andre Esterhuizen (c), 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Jordan Hendrikse, 9 Jaden Hendrikste, 8 Phepsi Buthelezi, 7 Vincent Tshituka, 6 Tino Mavesere, 5 Emile van Heerden, 4 Jason Jenkins, 3 Vincent Koch, 2 Eduan Swart, 1 Ox Nche. Replacements: 16 Fez Mbatha, 17 Phatu Ganyane, 18 Hanro Jacobs, 19 Corne Rahl, 20 Thomas Dyer, 21 Ross Braude, 22 Siya Masuku, Yaw Penxe.