Bulls fullback Willie le Roux is among four backline players who will keep their spots against Edinburgh. Picture: Christiaan Kotze/Gallo Images Bulls coach Johan Ackermann rotated his forward pack around captain Marcell Coetzee, while keeping the backline largely unchanged, with just one switch at inside centre for Friday’s United Rugby Championship clash against Edinburgh in Scotland (kick-off 9.45pm). The Bulls broke their seven-match losing streak with a26-24 victory over a second-string Pauin the Champions Cup last weekend, qualifying for the round of 16.
Aiming to carry momentum into the URC, wherethe Bullssit 11th on the table, Ackermann named a fresh forward pack. 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.
Ruan Nortjéearns a start at No 5, replacing Reinhardt Ludwig, who drops to the bench. Jeandré Rudolph shifts into the No 8 jersey, with Nizaam Carr moving to the reserves. David Kriel starts at inside centre, taking over from Harold Vorster, who shifts to the bench.
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New faces like Stravino Jacobs (23) and Embrose Papier (21) add depth to the bench. 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.
Jan-Hendrik Wessels2. Johan Grobbelaar3. Wilco Louw4.
Ruan Vermaak5. Ruan Nortjé6. Marcell Coetzee (Captain)7.
Mpilo Gumede8. Jeandré Rudolph9. Zak Burger10.
Handré Pollard11. Kurt-Lee Arendse12. David Kriel13.
Sebastian de Klerk14. Cheswill Jooste15. Willie le Roux 16.
Marco van Staden17. Alu Tshakweni18. Mornay Smith19.
Reinhardt Ludwig20. Nizaam Carr21. Embrose Papier22.
Harold Vorster23. Stravino Jacobs
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