The Bulls have reshuffled their match-day 23 for Saturday’s United Rugby Championship showdown with Munster at Thomond Park in Limerick, making several changes in the backline and on the front-row bench.
After opening their northern-hemisphere tour with a convincing victory over Zebre Parma, the Bulls face a much sterner test in Ireland.
Their preparations have, however, been disrupted by the loss of tighthead prop Mornay Smith, who has been forced to return home to South Africa after suffering an ankle injury.
Smith’s departure sees Khutha Mchunu added to the match-day squad as prop cover, alongside Sti Sithole, who replaces Dylan Smith.
The backline has several changes, with head coach Johan Ackermann rotating his options.
Hakeem Kunene, who came off the bench against Zebre, moves into the starting XV at fullback, with Springbok veteran Willie le Roux dropping to the bench to provide experienced cover.
Thaakir Abrahams comes into the starting lineup on the left wing, while Stravino Jacobs moves inside to start at inside centre.
Harold Vorster drops out of the match-day 23, allowing Stedman Gans to move to outside centre alongside Jacobs.
At scrumhalf, Zak Burger takes over the No 9 jersey from Paul de Wet and will form the halfback pairing with Curwin Bosch.
The Bulls’ starting forward pack remains unchanged from the victory over Zebre, with captain Marcell Coetzee leading the side alongside Hanro Liebenberg and Jeandre Rudolph in the back row.
Bulls team to play Munster
15 Hakeem Kunene, 14 Sebastian de Klerk, 13 Stedman Gans, 12 Stravino Jacobs, 11 Thaakir Abrahams, 10 Curwin Bosch, 9 Zak Burger, 8 Jeandré Rudolph, 7 Hanro Liebenberg, 6 Marcell Coetzee (c), 5 Reinhardt Ludwig, 4 Ruan Vermaak, 3 Francois Klopper, 2 Juann Else, 1 Alu Tshakweni. Replacements: 16 Janco Uys, 17 Sti Sithole, 18 Khutha Mchunu, 19 JF van Heerden, 20 Nizaam Carr, 21 Paul de Wet, 22 Cheswill Jooste, 23 Willie le Roux.
Munster team to play Bulls
15 Shane Daly, 14 Diarmuid Kilgallen, 13 Seán O’Brien, 12 Dan Kelly, 11 Shay McCarthy, 10 Charlie O’Shea, 9 Craig Casey (c), 8 Brian Gleeson, 7 John Hodnett, 6 Seán Edogbo, 5 Fineen Wycherley, 4 Tom Ahern, 3 Jack Aungier, 2 Marnus van der Merwe, 1 Michael Milne. Replacements: 16 Kieran Brookes, 17 Jeremy Loughman, 18 Ronan Foxe, 19 Evan O’Connell, 20 Gavin Coombes, 21 Ben O’Donovan, 22 JJ Hanrahan, 23 Alex Kendellen.
