Baptism of fire for Cheswill Jooste as Bulls tackle Duhan van der Merwe threat in Edinburgh

The Bulls won’t read anything into Edinburgh shipping 60 points against Bath in their previous outing, knowing the Scottish club will be a tough nut to crack at their home ground in the expected chilly conditions.

However, after snapping their winless streak in France last weekend, the Pretoria side will be looking to secure a rare back-to-back win on Friday evening at the Hive Stadium (9.45pm kick-off) when they restart their United Rugby Championship (URC) campaign.

Currently outside of the top eight on the log, the Bulls have reinstated a host of their Springbok forwards, and they will be desperate to build on their gutsy win at Pau. The Johan Ackermann-coached side is currently on a four-match losing streak in the URC.

Making the task more difficult for them is the fact that Edinburgh brought back their Scotland stars after they were rested last weekend. These players, including the South African-born duo and former Bulls players, wing Duhan van der Merwe and prop Pierre Schoeman, will have plenty to prove ahead of the Six Nations tournament.

It is a battle the visitors are bracing for, according to Ackermann; however, their focus remains squarely on replicating the gutsy victory against Pau, while fixing some errors that still crept into their game.

“They have an experienced and well-coached side, and our players realise we must be better than what we were last week,” Ackermann said.

“We have to work hard and hopefully we can back that performance up with the confidence that we got from that match. But we must be even better, that is what we will need. Anything less than that and we won’t get the result. They are just too good a side.

“We have looked at games of the past trying to find something that can work. It was quite evident that both sides are strong at home, purely because of the conditions. At Loftus, it’s dry and sunny, there’s the altitude and here it is a bit colder and rainier. They are used to that. However, our players adapted in the Pau rain.

“We know what is coming, but it is a different thing dealing with that.”

Flanker Marcell Coetzee will captain the side, despite Ackermann bringing back Ruan Nortjé in the five-lock jersey. The hard-working Jeandré Rudolph was also reinstated in the No 8 jumper. Tighthead Wilco Louw, hooker Johan Grobbelaar and loosehead Jan-Hendrik Wessels forms an all-Springbok front row.

In the injury absence of Springbok utility back Canan Moodie, Sebastian de Klerk will get another run at outside centre. He partners with David Kriel in a crucial midfield combination for the Bulls. De Klerk was outstanding against Pau and sparked the attack in the No 13 jersey. He also made some strong defensive reads and tackles.

It will be a baptism of fire for Junior Springbok winger Cheswill Jooste, who is set to oppose the powerful Van der Merwe. Jooste’s aerial ability could put the former Bulls player under pressure, but the visitors must be defensively sharp to halt the bulldozing Scottish flyer.

Ackermann acknowledged that this will be a stern test for Jooste, especially considering the conditions and who he is up against.

“This will be one of his biggest tests, but all part of Cheswill’s development. We know they kick a lot but we are also aware of the abilities of Duhan. He is as big as a lock, but very quick and with great skills. We are excited about this test for Cheswill and he will be able to stand his man.

“To add to that, they must stop him as well. We won’t judge him on one game, but hopefully it will go well. Canan’s experience would’ve been nice, but long-term this will be good for Cheswill’s future.

“We’ve also considered Sebastian at 13 for a while. It is great for his development, being that versatile. Especially looking at the Springboks and his ultimate desire to play there. We are confident he has the characteristics of a No. 13; he has a good read of the game, a high work rate, good defensively and the ability to beat players.”

Bulls XV

15 Willie le Roux, 14 Cheswill Jooste, 13 Sebastian de Klerk, 12 David Kriel, 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 10 Handré Pollard, 9 Zak Burger, 8 Jeandré Rudolph, 7 Mpilo Gumede, 6 Marcell Coetzee (captain), 5 Ruan Nortjé, 4 Ruan Vermaak, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 1 Jan-Hendrik Wessels.

Replacements: 16 Marco van Staden, 17 Aluluto Tshakweni, 18 Mornay Smith, 19 Reinhardt Ludwig, 20 Nizaam Carr, 21 Embrose Papier, 22 Harold Vorster, 23 Stravino Jacobs.