Photo Credit - Gallo Images
Springbok loose forward Marcell Coetzee will earn his first cap for the Vodacom Bulls when they host the DHL Stormers in their Pro14 Rainbow Cup SA clash at Loftus Versfeld on Friday, 4 June 2021.
Vodacom Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White has tweaked the starting line-up with scrumhalf Ivan van Zyl returning from injury to partner flyhalf Morné Steyn, while wing Stravino Jacobs reclaims the no.11 jersey in place of James Verity-Amm.
Besides the inclusion of Coetzee at the openside flank, Mornay Smith and Gerhard Steenekamp will prop up the scrum alongside hooker Johan Grobbelaar.
Springbok utility back Gio Aplon has recovered from his ACL injury and will add experience off the bench, with fellow Springboks in prop Trevor Nyakane and flank Marco van Staden set to do the same.
"We've welcomed back Gio and Ivan from injury while Marcell gets his first start for us. It’s great having experience of this calibre coming back into our system as we head into the busines end of the tournament," said White.
"The loss against the Lions put things into perspective as we cannot afford even one slip up in terms of the log. We need to make amends for it and there are not many things tougher than a classic North-South derby," he added.
Kick-off is scheduled for 19h00 CAT with the match being televised live on SuperSport Grandstand and Rugby channels.
Vodacom Bulls: 15. David Kriel (Betway Centurion), 14. Madosh Tambwe (Pretoria), 13. Marco Jansen van Vuren (Pretoria), 12. Cornal Hendricks (Northam), 11. Stravino Jacobs (Harlequins), 10. Morné Steyn (Tuine), 9. Ivan van Zyl (Tuine), 8. Duane Vermeulen (Harlequins, C), 7. Elrigh Louw (Tukkies), 6. Marcell Coetzee (ABE Midas Naka Bulle) 5. Ruan Nortje (ABE Midas Naka Bulle) 4. Walt Steenkamp (Betway Centurion) 3. Mornay Smith (Betway Centurion) 2. Johan Grobbelaar (Tukkies) 1. Gerhard Steenekamp (ABE Midas Naka Bulle). Replacements: 16. Schalk Erasmus (Tuine), 17. Jacques van Rooyen (Tuine), 18. Trevor Nyakane (Harlequins), 19. Janko Swanepoel (Pretoria), 20. Marco van Staden (Pretoria), 21. Zak Burger (Tuine), 22. Chris Smith (Harlequins), 23. Gio Aplon (Betway Centurion), 24. Jan-Hendrik Wessels (Pretoria), 25. Muller Uys (Tukkies), 26. Jan Uys (Pretoria), 27. James Verity-Amm (Pretoria), 28. Keagan Johannes (Tukkies)
Recent Posts
- Win Over DHL Stormers Will Boost Emirates Lions’ Confidence For The Next Three Matches
- Glasgow Warriors Beat Dragons RFC In Try Fest
- Jacobs And Makua Join Springbok Women In Stellenbosch
- Bulls Daisies And Sanlam Boland Dames Lead The Pack At Halfway Stage
- “The Emirates Lions Just Would Not Go Away, So Credit To Them.” – John Dobson
- Hollywoodbets Sharks Passed Depth-test Against Vodacom Bulls
- FNB NWU Eagles Confident To Correct Last Season’s Mistakes In Varsity Cup
- New-look FNB UFS Shimlas Ready To Go To Battle And Defend Their Crown
- Vodacom Bulls’ Lack Of Speed At The Back A Major Concern
- Cardiff Rugby Denied Comeback Win Over Connacht Rugby
- Benetton Rugby Secured A Bonus Point Win Over Ill-Disciplined Ulster Rugby
- Dominant Munster Rugby Claim Win Over Scarlets At Thomond Park
- Vodacom Bulls Beaten By Ill-disciplined But Spirited Hollywoodbets Sharks
- Emirates Lions Hung On To Beat DHL Stormers In A Round 11 United Rugby Championship Clash
- Reynders Eager To Contribute To Blitzboks Effort In Canada