Springbok loose forward Marcell Coetzee will lead a new-look Vodacom Bulls team in their final Carling Currie Cup match of the season, against the Cheetahs on Saturday evening.
Coach Johan Ackermann, who has stepped in to manage the transition between the Currie Cup and Vodacom URC, has loaded the side with URC veterans, among them Johan Grobbelaar, Embrose Papier, David Kriel and Devon Williams.
Among the more interesting selections are dynamic lock JF van Heerden, just 21 and a hulking 2,01m figure with real potential. Jan Serfontein, the accomplished Springbok centre, also pulls on a Bulls jersey – for the first time in eight years – on his return to the capital.
Keagan Johannes will direct affairs in the No. 10 jersey, while under-20 star Cheswill Jooste gets another opportunity to stake a claim for URC action.
The bench has real bite too, with the likes of Nama Xaba, Cobus Wiese and Stedman Gans to call on.
Against this backdrop, the Bulls have a mounting injury list that now totals 24 players, all with varying degrees of injury.
Those unavailable for selection against the Cheetahs this weekend are Gerhard Steenkamp, Dylan Smith, Bryan le Roux, Khutha Mchunu, Akker van der Merwe, Joe van Zyl, Ruan Vermaak, N JV Rensburg, Reinhardt Ludwig, Elrigh Louw, Cameron Hanekom, Nizaam Carr, Corne Beets, Jeandre Rudolph, Kurt-Lee Arendse, Sergeal Petersen, Stravino Jacobs, Sti Sithole, Jean Erasmus, Chris Barend Smit, Cornel Smit, Aphiwe Dyantyi, Johan Goosen and Jannes Kirsten.
Consequently, the team’s medical staff have their hands full trying to ensure players are fit in time for the start of the Vodacom URC in three weeks’ time.
Vodacom Bulls
1. Alu Tshekwani
2. Johan Grobbelaar
3. Mornay Smith
4. Jaco Grobbelaar
5. JF van Heerden
6. Marcell Coetzee (Capt)
7. Mpilo Gumede
8. Abri van der Westhuizen
9. Embrose Papier
10. Keagan Johannes
11. Alfonso Isaacs
12. Jan Serfontein
13. David Kriel
14. Cheswill Jooste
15. Devon Williams
Replacements
16. Juann Else
17. Ruan Swart
18. Francois Klopper
19. Cobus Wiese
20. Nama Xaba
21. Paul de Wet
22. Harold Vorster
23. Stedman Gans