The Vodacom Bulls have named a formidable side to host the All Blacks in the third match of the Castle Double Malt Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria on Saturday.
READ: All Blacks Gear Up for Bulls Challenge
Marcell Coetzee leads a match-day squad featuring four capped Springboks, with Willie le Roux adding vast experience out wide. There is also a welcome return for loose forward Hanro Liebenberg, back on South African soil after a productive stint with Leicester Tigers in the English Premiership.
Much of the excitement, though, centres on flyhalf Curwin Bosch, who comes into the run-on side after two years plying his trade in France. Bosch has long been regarded as one of the most gifted attacking pivots to come through South African rugby, and Vodacom Bulls fans will be hoping his instinctive running game can unlock an All Blacks defence renowned for its line speed.
He will be flanked by two of the standout performers from the Vodacom URC campaign in scrumhalf Embrose Papier and loose forward Jeandre Rudolph, both of whom will be central to how the Vodacom Bulls look to play with tempo and ambition against the touring side.
On the bench, coach Johan Ackermann has entrusted a spot to Hakeem Kunene, who has impressed since arriving at Loftus for the Carling Currie Cup and will be desperate to make his mark on the biggest stage yet. Also among the replacements is Thaakir Abrahams, the electric former Hollywoodbets Sharks and Munster wing whose pace could prove a vital weapon.
History, however, is firmly on the All Blacks’ side. In four previous meetings between the sides dating back to 1949, New Zealand have come out on top three times. The Bulls’ lone victory remains a famous one, with Northern Transvaal edging the tourists 29-27 in August 1976, a result that will mark its 50th anniversary almost to the day when the two sides meet again this weekend.
For the current Vodacom Bulls group, Saturday represents a rare chance to write a new chapter in that history, and with the blend of Springbok know-how, returning quality and emerging talent named, they will fancy their chances of springing an upset at fortress Loftus.
Vodacom Bulls team:
15 Willie le Roux
14 Thaakir Abrahams
13 Stedman Gans
12 Harold Vortster
11 Stravino Jacobs
10 Curwin Bosch
9 Embrose Papier
8 Jeandre Rudolph
7 Hanro Liebenberg
6 Marcell Coetzee (Captain)
5 JF van Heerden
4 Ruan Vermaak
3 Francois Klopper
2 Juann Else
1 Alu Tshakweni
Replacements:
16 Jaundre Schoeman
17 Sti Sithole
18 Khuta Mchunu
19 Reinhardt Ludwig
20 Mpilo Gumede
21 Paul de Wet
22 Katlego Letebele
23 Hakeem Kunene
Issued by SA Rugby Communications
