Bulls head coach Johan Ackermann is counting on a Springbok injection to boost his team's United Rugby Championship campaign. The Bulls have made 10 changes to their starting XV for Saturday's Jukskei derby against the Lions at Loftus Versfeld. Ten Springboks are included in the match-day 23, with Hanro Liebenberg set to captain the side for the first time in place of the injured Marcell Coetzee.
The Bulls' preparation for the Lions has been complicated by travel fatigue and illness in the squad. Ackermann admitted that the team's journey back from their last match in Ireland was taxing, with long flights and several players arriving sick. This disrupted their training, with some players managed from a physical point of view. As a result, Ackermann has opted to call on the experience and quality of his returning Springboks.
Liebenberg's appointment as captain is a significant change, while lock Cobus Wiese is poised to make his 50th Bulls appearance if he comes off the bench. Coetzee is expected to be fit for next week's Investec Champions Cup clash against Stade Français. Reinhardt Ludwig and Stravino Jacobs will miss Saturday's match due to illness. The Bulls can draw confidence from their recent record at Loftus, where they have won their last five URC matches.
The Lions, under Ivan van Rooyen, have made a perfect start to the season with wins over Leinster and the Ospreys. They will arrive in Pretoria with considerable momentum and happy memories of their last visit to Loftus, where they beat the Bulls 43-33 in a high-scoring derby last season. Ackermann, familiar with the Lions, is aware of the threat they pose, particularly in dominating at the set-piece and mauling.
The Lions' ability to combine forward power with attacking ambition could be particularly dangerous against a Bulls side that has had limited time to prepare together. Ackermann expects the visitors to turn up the tempo and test the energy of a team that has just returned from Ireland. The Lions are known for their ability to throw the ball around and are a well-balanced team, making them a formidable opponent.
The Bulls team to play the Lions includes 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Canan Moodie, 13 Stedman Gans, 12 Harold Vorster, 11 Sebastian de Klerk, 10 Curwin Bosch, 9 Paul de Wet, and 8 Cameron Hanekom. Hanro Liebenberg will captain the side, with 7 Jeandré Rudolph, 6 JF van Heerden, 5 Ruan Vermaak, 4 Francois Klopper, 3 Johan Grobbelaar, 2 Gerhard Steenekamp, and 1 Alu Tshakweni. Replacements include 16 Marco van Staden, 17 Khutha Mchunu, 18 Cobus Wiese, 19 Elrigh Louw, 20 Keagan Johannes, 21 Handré Pollard, and 22 Cheswill Jooste.
The match against the Lions promises to be a physical and intense encounter, with both teams eager to secure a win. The Bulls will look to utilize their home-ground advantage and the experience of their returning Springboks to overcome the challenge posed by the confident Lions.
Key points
- The Bulls have made 10 changes to their starting XV for the match against the Lions.
- Ten Springboks are included in the match-day 23 for the Bulls.
- The Lions have made a perfect start to the season with wins over Leinster and the Ospreys.
