Johan Goosen will get his first Vodacom Bulls start in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship since recovering from his shoulder repair seven weeks ago. The fly-half returns to the mix as the 2022/23 campaign nears the business end, beginning with the round 17 clash against Italians, Zebre Parma at Emirates Airline Park on Saturday 15 April, at 13:00 (SA Time).
Goosen slots in at 10 alongside scrum-half, Embrose Papier as the halfback combination. A forwards pack with Gerhard Steenekamp, Johan Grobbelaar and Mornay Smith in the front row will be ahead of the pair, supported by Ruan Vermaak and club captain, Ruan Nortje at lock. Marco van Staden, Cyle Brink and Elrigh Louw will add weight from the back row.
The backline will have David Kriel (left) and Canan Moodie (right) in the wings. Harold Vorster (inside) and Stedman Gans (outside) will combine as the centre pairing with Kurt-Lee Arendse at full-back.
Bismarck du Plessis, Dylan Smith, Francois Klopper, Janko Swanepoel, WJ Steenkamp, Keagan Johannes, Chris Smith and Cornal Hendricks will potentially get a run from the bench.
Vodacom Bulls: 1. Gerhard Steenekamp, 2. Johan Grobbelaar, 3. Mornay Smith, 4. Ruan Vermaak, 5. Ruan Nortje (c), 6. Marco van Staden, 7. Cyle Brink, 8. Elrigh Louw, 9. Embrose Papier, 10. Johan Goosen, 11. David Kriel, 12. Harold Vorster, 13. Stedman Gans, 14. Canan Moodie, 15. Kurt-Lee Arendse. Replacements: 16. Bismarck du Plessis, 17. Dylan Smith, 18. Francois Klopper, 19.
Janko Swanepoel, 20. WJ Steenkamp, 21. Keagan Johannes, 22. Chris Smith, 23. Cornal Hendricks.
