The Bulls are set to welcome back several key players, including influential Springboks, ahead of their Currie Cup semi-final clash against the Sharks at Loftus Versfeld.
Head coach Phiwe Nomlomo has made notable changes, rotating his halfback combination by recalling Keagan Johannes to scrumhalf, where he will pair with Johan Goosen at flyhalf for the 2024 Carling Currie Cup semi-final.
Other key returns include Stravino “Rocket Man” Jacobs, who slots in at left wing, while Dylan Smith, nicknamed “Bullie,” starts in the front row alongside Akker van der Merwe and Wilco Louw. The six-two bench split includes Bernard van der Linde, Joe van Zyl, Jacques van Rooyen, Francois Klopper, Sintu Manjezi, Merwe Olivier, Katlego Letebele, and Celimpilo Gumede.
Springboks return to action
Nizaam Carr, who shifts from the bench to captain the side, will start at flank alongside Marcell Coetzee. Meanwhile, Boeta Chamberlain and Stedman Gans make positional swaps, with Chamberlain starting at fullback and Gans at outside centre, having come off the bench in the previous match in Durban.
In the second row, Jannes Kirsten and Cobus Wiese reunite at lock, with Cameron Hanekom retaining his spot at No. 8. David Kriel moves to inside centre, pairing with Gans, while Henry Immelman will take up the right wing position.
Bulls are hot favourites
The semi-final between the Bulls and the Hollywoodbets Sharks XV has the potential to be a Currie Cup classic, reminiscent of the 2020 and 2021 finals, both of which were won by the Pretoria-based team.
The Bulls, while showing occasional vulnerability this season, boast immense squad depth and showcased their quality at crucial moments to secure second place on the log, earning them a home semi-final. Meanwhile, the Sharks, who struggled early in the Currie Cup campaign with three consecutive losses, found their form with an unbeaten streak of six wins and a draw, turning their season around.
Vodacom Bulls vs Hollywoodbets Sharks Starting XV:
- Dylan Smith, 2. Akker van der Merwe, 3. Wilco Louw, 4. Jannes Kirsten, 5. Cobus Wiese, 6. Marcell Coetzee, 7. Nizaam Carr (c), 8. Cameron Hanekom, 9. Keagan Johannes, 10. Johan Goosen, 11. Stravino Jacobs, 12. David Kriel, 13. Stedman Gans, 14. Henry Immelman, 15. Boeta Chamberlain
Vodacom Bulls Impact Squad:
- Joe van Zyl, 17. Jacques van Rooyen, 18. Francois Klopper, 19. Sintu Manjezi, 20. Merwe Olivier, 21. Bernard van der Linde, 22. Katlego Letebele, 23. Celimpilo Gumede.
