Two Springbok players have been brought back into the Bulls’ starting lineup for the upcoming Jukskei derby against the Lions this Saturday.
Marco van Staden and Elrigh Louw, both Springboks, have been chosen for a significantly altered Bulls squad to face the Lions at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria on Saturday.
Jake White, the Bulls’ coach, has implemented numerous changes for the Vodacom URC derby. Among these, six alterations are in the forward pack, where loose forwards Louw and Van Staden are starting in the back row with Mpilo Gumede, who moves to the No 8 position.
Loosehead prop Simphiwe Matanzima and former Springbok hooker Akker van der Merwe are starting after coming off the bench in the previous weekend’s Champions Cup victory over Bordeaux. In the second row, Deon Slabbert pairs up with Ruan Nortje, who takes on the captaincy role as Marcell Coetzee moves to the bench.
In the backline, Sergeal Petersen has been brought back to start as left wing, replacing Devon Williams. Harold Vorster is returning to the No 12 position, prompting David Kriel to shift to outside centre.
Johan Grobbelaar, a hooker who is fit again, is set for his first game since November, being named on a substitutes’ bench that features a six-to-two split between forwards and backs.
