After a nine-month lay-off, Springbok and Bulls loose forward Cameran Hanekom will make his return from injury off the bench against Cardiff on Friday evening in Pretoria.
The Bulls have reshuffled their side for the United Rugby Championship (URC) clash at Loftus Versfeld (7pm kick-off), with head coach Johan Ackermann making several changes following last weekend’s disappointing 32-19 defeat to the Stormers.
Hanekom’s inclusion will provide a welcome boost, as will the return of speedster Cheswill Jooste. He replaces the injured Sebastian de Klerk on the right wing.
Scrumhalf Embrose Papier is reunited with flyhalf Handré Pollard and should inject some urgency behind the Bulls’ pack. Stedman Gans at inside centre is another surprise selection, although his partnership with Canan Moodie promises plenty of spark in midfield.
Up front, tighthead prop Francois Klopper comes in for Bok Wilco Louw, while Ruan Nortjé and Cobus Wiese form a new lock pairing, with Ruan Vermaak dropping to the bench, which also includes prop Kutha Mchunu. Jeandré Rudolph makes way for the dynamic Nizaam Carr in the starting line-up.
Rudolph, Vermaak, Mchunu, Jan-Hendrik Wessels and utility forward Marco van Staden are all expected to make an impact off the bench, while Paul de Wet and Willie le Roux provide backline cover.
Jooste will be pleased with the game time he is getting after a spell on the sidelines following a promising breakthrough season. He will be eager to cement a regular place in the side after some strong earlier performances.
Cardiff, currently fifth on the log, will relish the challenge against a wounded Bulls outfit, and the men from Pretoria will need to improve their performance across the board if they are to secure a victory and remain in the URC top eight.
Bulls XV
15 David Kriel, 14 Cheswill Jooste, 13 Canan Moodie, 12 Stedman Gans, 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 10 Handré Pollard, 9 Embrose Papier, 8 Nizaam Carr, 7 Elrigh Louw, 6 Marcell Coetzee (captain), 5 Ruan Nortjé, 4 Cobus Wiese, 3 Francois Klopper, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 1 Gerhard Steenekamp; Replacements: 16 Marco van Staden, 17 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 18 Kutha Mchunu, 19 Ruan Vermaak, 20 Cameron Hanekom, 21 Jeandré Rudolph, 22 Paul de Wet, 23 Willie le Roux.
