Bulls turn to URC players for pre-season Currie Cup prep

Vodacom Bulls coach Johan Ackermann has admitted that his decision to put in a virtual Vodacom United Rugby Championship squad for the Bulls’ final Carling Currie Cup outing of the season against the Cheetahs is not ideal, but he has no choice.

Ackermann spoke at length about trying to secure warm-up games for his team ahead of the URC and that two matches fell through, leaving his team with little option but to go this route

The team selected is packed with Bulls stalwarts, led by veteran Marcell Coetzee and has a lot of depth even though there is a long injury list and the Bulls have seven players in the starting 23 for the Springboks against the All Blacks on Saturday.

Bulls fans will see a first glimpse of returning Bok Jan Serfontein, who lines up in the 12 jersey to partner David Kriel in what could become a defining partnership this season.

SA under-20 star Cheswill Jooste is on the one wing, with Devon Williams at the back and Alfonso Isaacs on the other wing getting a chance to impress. The Bulls have a settled halfback combination of Embrose Papier and Keagan Johannes.

Up front another SA under-20 star Jaco Grobbelaar gets a chance to impress alongside last season’s SA under-20 captain JF van Heerden, while Johan Grobbelaar anchors the front row of Alulutho Tshakweni and Mornay Smith.

The loose trio sees a long-awaited return for Celimpilo Gumede after injury with Abri van der Westhuizen at eight.

On the bench Currie Cup captain Nama Xaba joins new Bok Cobus Wiese and former Stormers halfback Paul de Wet alongside a bunch of youngsters.

The injury list is still extensive and in this game the Bulls are missing the following players: Gerhard Steenkamp, Dylan Smith, Bryan le Roux, Khutha Mchunu, Akker van der Merwe, Joe van Zyl, Ruan Vermaak, N JV Rensburg, Reinhardt Ludwig, Elrigh Louw, Cameron Hanekom, Nizaam Carr, Corne Beets, Jeandre Rudolph, Kurt-Lee Arendse, Sergeal Petersen, Stravino Jacobs, Sti Sithole, Jean Erasmus, Chris Barend Smit, Cornel Smit, Aphiwe Dyantyi, Johan Goosen and Jannes Kirsten.

Some will return in time for the start of the season while others have a more long term prognosis.

Vodacom Bulls: Devon Williams; Cheswill Jooste, David Kriel, Jan Serfontein, Alfonso Isaacs, Keagan Johannes, Embrose Papier; Abri van der Westhuizen, Celimpilo Gumede, Marcell Coetzee (captain), JF van Heerden, Jaco Grobbelaar, Mornay Smith, Johan Grobbelaar, Alulutho Tshakweni.

Replacements: Juann Else, Ruan Swart, Francois Klopper, Cobus Wiese, Nama Xaba, Paul de Wet, Harold Vorster, Stedman Gans.