Bulls scrumhalf Embrose Papier has been in top form this season.
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Coach Johan Ackermann has reinstated several heavy hitters for the Bulls’ final United Rugby Championship pool clash against Benetton at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday (4pm kick-off).
The Bulls are currently in fourth place on the points table and are hungry for a win that will secure them a home quarter-final.
The most notable change up front is the rotation of the front row. Gerhard Steenekamp and Johan Grobbelaar move from the bench to the starting line-up, with Jan-Hendrik Wessels and Marco van Staden providing cover from the wood this week.
In the second row, the leadership group receives a massive boost as Ruan Nortje returns to partner Cobus Wiese — shifting Ruan Vermaak to the bench. The back row also sees a physical upgrade with Elrigh Louw slotting in at flank, replacing Jeandre Rudolph.
In the half-backs, the Bulls have opted for the established pairing of Embrose Papier and Handre Pollard to direct play from the start — moving Paul de Wet to the replacement bench and Willie le Roux from fly-half to full-back.
While the midfield remains stable with the partnership of Harold Vorster and Canan Moodie, there is an adjustment in the back three: Kurt-Lee Arendse failed a late fitness test and will be replaced by Devon Williams, who shifts to the right wing to accommodate Sergeal Petersen on the left.
The bench sees the inclusion of Stravino Jacobs as the primary utility back cover, replacing the injured Cheswill Jooste.
With the likes of Van Staden, Vermaak, and Stedman Gans waiting in the wings, the Bulls have maintained a high-velocity bench designed to put away the tiring Italians in the closing stages of the fixture.
Bulls team for Loftus:
15 Willie le Roux, 14 Devon Williams, 13 Canan Moodie, 12 Harold Vorster, 11 Sergeal Petersen, 10 Handré Pollard, 9 Embrose Papier, 8 Cameron Hanekom, 7 Elrigh Louw, 6 Jeandré Rudolph, 5 Ruan Nortjé (c), 4 Cobus Wiese, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 1 Gerhard Steenekamp.
Replacements: 16 Marco van Staden, 17 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 18 Francois Klopper, 19 Ruan Vermaak, 20 Mpilo Gumede, 21 Paul de Wet, 22 Stedman Gans, 23 Stravino Jacobs.