Wessels back at loosehead allows Akker to return to Bulls bench

Springbok utility forward Jan-Hendrik Wessels’ versatility has become one of Vodacom Bulls’ coach Jake White’s best assets as the youngster allowed White to make just one change to his pack for the Vodacom United Rugby Championship north-south derby against arch-rivals DHL Stormers at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.

With the Bulls firmly entrenched in third position on the log, they will be aiming to do the double over the Stormers after winning by one point in Cape Town a month ago, and will look for their third straight win over the Cape rivals to cement their new-found streak against John Dobson’s side.

Wessels played loosehead prop in that game and the subsequent game against the Hollywoodbets Sharks, but then switched to hooker for last weekend’s Jukskei derby against the Emirates Lions.

This week that versatility is shown up again, as he shifts back to prop in the place of Alulutho Tshakweni, allowing Akker van der Merwe to come back into the match day 23 and strengthen the bench.

Wessels is, of course, as White has said many times “too good to be left in the stands” and it is clear that since his elevation to the Bok squad last year the young forward is keen to get as much game time as possible to help with his development as a player.

The other change comes from the back row, where Nizaam Carr adds some experience to the pack to start against his former side, while Celimpilo Gumede drops to the bench in a straight swap.

The Bulls will be looking to use their powerful pack again to dominate proceedings and do the double over their arch rivals.

Vodacom Bulls: Devon Williams; Sebastian de Klerk, Stedman Gans, David Kriel, Canan Moodie; Willie le Roux, Embrose Papier; Nizaam Carr, Reinhardt Ludwig (captain), Marco van Staden, JF van Heerden, Cobus Wiese, Wilco Louw, Johan Grobbelaar, Gerhard Steenekamp.

Replacements: Akker van der Merwe, Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Francois Klopper, Ruan Vermaak, Celimpilo Gumede, Zak Burger, Keagan Johannes, Sergeal Petersen.