The Vodacom Bulls have unveiled a refreshed starting XV for their Vodacom United Rugby Championship encounter with Edinburgh this weekend, building on last week’s hard-fought victory over Pau.
Captain Marcell Coetzee retains the armband, anchoring a pack that shows calculated rotations amid a demanding schedule, while the backline maintains its explosive edge.
Key changes from the Pau lineup include:
Front row reshuffle: Johan Grobbelaar slots in at hooker for Akker van der Merwe, with Wilco Louw starting at tighthead prop in place of Mornay Smith, who shifts to the bench. Alu Tshakweni remains as loosehead cover.
Lock switch: Ruan Nortje earns a start at No 5, replacing Reinhardt Ludwig, who drops to the bench.
Back row rotation: Jeandre Rudolph shifts into the No 8 jersey, with Nizaam Carr moving to the reserves.
Midfield adjustment: David Kriel starts at inside centre, taking over from Harold Vorster, who shifts to the bench.
Bench bolstering: New faces like Stravino Jacobs (23) and Embrose Papier (21) add depth.
Additionally, Handré Pollard, Kurt-Lee Arendse, Sebastian de Klerk, Cheswill Jooste, and Willie le Roux hold their starting spots in the backline, ensuring continuity and firepower. Zak Burger continues at scrumhalf, linking the forwards’ grunt with the attackers’ speed.
These tweaks reflect head coach Johan Ackermann’s depth management, blending experience with emerging talent to target back-to-back wins.
Vodacom Bulls
1. Jan-Hendrik Wessels
2. Johan Grobbelaar
3. Wilco Louw
4. Ruan Vermaak
5. Ruan Nortje
6. Marcell Coetzee (Captain)
7. Mpilo Gumede
8. Jeandre Rudolph
9. Zak Burger
10. Handre Pollard
11. Kurt-Lee Arendse
12. David Kriel
13. Sebastian de Klerk
14. Cheswill Jooste
15. Willie le Roux
16. Marco van Staden
17. Alu Tshakweni
18. Mornay Smith
19. Reinhardt Ludwig
20. Nizaam Carr
21. Embrose Papier
22. Harold Vorster
23. Stravino Jacobs
Unavailable due to injuries
Jan Serfontein, Akker van der Merwe, Elrigh Louw, Cobus Wiese (compassion), Canan Moodie, Cameron Hanekom, Nicolaas Janse van Rensburg, Gerhard Steenekamp.