The Bulls have freshened up their pack of forwards and backline, but opted to keep Willie le Roux at flyhalf for Saturday’s United Rugby Championship clash against the Lions.
Coach Jake White had two other flyhalf choices in Boeta Chamberlain and Jaco van der Walt, but decided to name Le Roux in the No 10 jersey on Friday for the Loftus Versfeld showdown (2pm start).
Veteran Springbok fullback Le Roux has had an up-and-down time at pivot in the 33-32 win over the Stormers in Cape Town and the 29-19 defeat to the Sharks in Pretoria last weekend, after a dazzling second-half cameo in the 35-22 triumph over the Lions at Ellis Park on January 25.
Le Roux was replaced in the second half against the Sharks for what White said was a groin issue – having practised his kicking more intensely during the week – but he has now seemingly shaken off that niggle to call the shots against the Lions, who will field Gianni Lombard at flyhalf.
There are a few new faces in the backline, with the most interesting being Stedman Gans at outside centre. White said last week that the Sharks’ “sevens players” made all the difference on attack for the Durban side, and now has finally brought back his own sevens star in Gans, who is a former Blitzboks captain.
Gans has the soft touches and creative skills to assist Le Roux in sparking the attack, and his return sees David Kriel shifting back to the No 12 jersey in place of Harold Vorster.
Bok star Canan Moodie has been moved from right to left wing, which sees Sebastian de Klerk coming in at No 14 and Sergeal Petersen shifting to the bench.
Outstanding No 8 Cameron Hanekom has still not recovered from a leg contusion and calf issue sustained against the Stormers – while he is also getting a welcome breather before next week’s Loftus clash against the Cape side.
Mpilo Gumede now gets a timely opportunity to utilise his size and ball-carrying ability at No 8, while Nizaam Carr will provide the necessary experience and calmness off the bench.
Cobus Wiese is back at No 4 lock in place of Ruan Vermaak, and will give some robustness at close quarters on attack and defence.
Despite their scrum dominance in recent games, there is a tweak to the front row, with Springbok loosehead prop Gerhard Steenekamp restored to the No 1 jersey, and Jan-Hendrik Wessels now a hooker reserve.
On the bench, versatile halfback Keagan Johannes is at long last brought back in the match-23, and his game management, classy passing game and solid boot sees him covering flyhalf and fullback, as Zak Burger is a specialist scrumhalf among the replacements.
Alulutho Tshakweni will hope to get some more game-time too as the loosehead back-up after missing out on the Sharks encounter.
Bulls Team
15 Devon Williams 14 Sebastian de Klerk 13 Stedman Gans 12 David Kriel 11 Canan Moodie 10 Willie le Roux 9 Embrose Papier 8 Mpilo Gumede 7 Reinhardt Ludwig (captain) 6 Marco van Staden 5 JF van Heerden 4 Cobus Wiese 3 Wilco Louw 2 Johan Grobbelaar 1 Gerhard Steenekamp.
Bench: 16 Jan-Hendrik Wessels 17 Alulutho Tshakweni 18 Francois Klopper 19 Ruan Vermaak 20 Nizaam Carr 21 Zak Burger 22 Keagan Johannes 23 Sergeal Petersen.
Lions Team
15 Quan Horn 14 Richard Kriel 13 Henco van Wyk 12 Marius Louw 11 Edwill van der Merwe 10 Gianni Lombard 9 Morné van den Berg 8 Francke Horn (captain) 7 Ruan Venter 6 Jarod Cairns 5 Darrien Landsberg 4 Etienne Oosthuizen 3 Asenathi Ntlabakanye 2 PJ Botha 1 Juan Schoeman.
Bench: 16 Jaco Visagie 17 Morgan Naudé 18 Conraad van Vuuren 19 Ruan Delport 20 Sibabalo Qoma 21 Renzo du Plessis 22 Nico Steyn 23 Manuel Rass.