The Bulls have named a powerful side to take on the Dragons this Friday. Ruan Vermaak is set to earn his 50th URC cap for the Pretoria outfit. Photo: Backpagepix
Image: Backpagepix
The Bulls have a largely familiar look for their United Rugby Championship encounter against the Dragons on Friday (8.45pm), while making some rotational adjustments to bolster their bench.
The core of the side remains intact, with continuity in the front row and loose trio providing a stable platform up front. Gerhard Steenekamp, Johan Grobbelaar, and Francois Klopper again anchor the scrum, while captain Marcell Coetzee, Elrigh Louw, and Cameron Hanekom continue as a back-row combination that provides leadership, breakdown intensity, and ball-carrying presence.
Behind the scrum, the visitors have retained the highly experienced halfback pairing of Embrose Papier and Handré Pollard, a combination that offers calm game management.
The most significant change among the forwards is in the second row, where Cobus Wiese steps into the starting line-up alongside Ruan Nortje, with Ruan Vermaak moving to the bench after starting against Glasgow.
Wiese’s inclusion from the outset suggests an emphasis on early physical confrontation and direct gain-line impact, while Vermaak is being reserved for an important impact role. In fact, Vermaak will be making his 50th URC appearance for the Bulls.
The backline alterations are more structural than wholesale. Canan Moodie moves from outside centre to the wing, where his size and power can be used to pressure the Dragons on the edges, while Stedman Gans comes into the starting XV at outside centre, offering a more orthodox midfield presence alongside Harold Vorster. David Kriel shifts from fullback to the wing, reinforcing aerial security and defensive reliability, and Devon Williams is given the opportunity at fullback, adding counter-running ability from the backfield.
The bench has a Bomb Squad feel about it in terms of experience. Paul de Wet replaces Zak Burger as scrumhalf cover, potentially lifting tempo later in the match, while Willie le Roux remains an important utility option. Sergeal Petersen and Mpilo Gumede add finishing speed and forward impact, respectively, along with Vermaak, Jan Hendrik Wessels, and Maco van Staden.
Players unavailable for selection are Kurt-Lee Arendse, Cheswill Jooste, and Wilco Louw.
Bulls starting XV: 15 Devon Williams, 14 David Kriel, 13 Stedman Gans, 12 Harold Vorster, 11 Canan Moodie, 10 Handre Pollard, 9 Embrose Papier, 8 Cameron Hanekom, 7 Elrigh Louw, 6 Marcelle Coetzee (captain), 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Cobus Wiese, 3 Francois Klopper, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 1 Gerhard Steenekamp; Replacements: 16 Marco van Staden, 17 Jan Hendrik Wessels, 18 Mornay Smith, 19 Ruan Vermaak, 20 Mpilo Gumede, 21 Paul de Wet, 22 Willie le Roux, 23 Sergeal Petersen