Bulls pick side to fight Lions speed with fire

Contrary to their pragmatic approach that won them back to back matches overseas, the Vodacom Bulls have opted to try and fight fire with fire and choose a side built for speed for their Vodacom United Rugby Championship derby match against the Lions at Ellis Park on Saturday.

A revamped backline, with pace and intent, will take on the Lions in a match the Bulls need to win to continue turning their season around after seven straight losses knocked them off their course earlier this season.

The team were hit by a few setbacks before selection - non the least captain Ruan Nortje failing a fitness test - while Willie le Roux is on Springbok rest protocol and Canan Moodie still hasn’t recovered from his concussion it seems. Add Sebastian de Klerk and Cheswill Jooster to the list because of concussions and Akker van der Merwe’s unavailability because of neck spasms and the Bulls have had their options limited a bit.

But the backline was picked for pace and given the fact the Lions are a team that like to move the ball around, coach Johan Ackermann isn’t shying away from the challenge.

With Le Roux out, Devon Williams comes in at fullback with Stravino Jacobs on the one wing to take over from Jooste. Kurt-Lee Arendse is on the other wing.

Harold Vorster is back at 12 with Stedman Gans at 13, while Handre Pollard now has Embrose Papier back as his halfback partner.

Interestingly the Bulls have gone with just two backs on the bench, with Keagan Johannes covering 9 and 10 and David Kriel the other multi-pronged player.

YOUR team to face the Lions tomorrow at Ellis park 🥶

🏆Vodacom Bulls v Lions | ⏰KICK-OFF: 14:30 | 📍Ellis Park | 🗓️31 January

🎟️TICKETS: https://t.co/mVtk5zcOLb @Vodacom #URC | @URCOfficial_RSA #JukskeiDerby pic.twitter.com/ufclsoibNd — Official Blue Bulls (@BlueBullsRugby) January 30, 2026

Elrigh Louw returns to the pack to replace Celimpilo Gumede, while Marcell Coetzee leads again and Jeandre Rudolph is at eight. Reinhardt Ludwig comes in for Nortje with Cobus Wiese returning to the bench.

The front row is the all Bok front row of Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Johan Grobbelaar and Wilco Louw. Marco van Staden provides cover at flank and hooker off the bench.

Vodacom Bulls: Devon Williams; Stravino Jacobs, Stedman Gans, Harold Vorster, Kurt-Lee Arendse; Handre Pollard, Embrose Papier; Jeandre Rudolph, Elrigh Louw, Marcell Coetzee (captain), Reinhardt Ludwig, Ruan Vermaak, Wilco Louw, Johan Grobbelaar, Jan-Hendrik Wessels.

Replacements: Marco van Staden, Alulutho Tshakweni, Mornay Smith, Cobus Wiese, Celimpilo Gumede, Nizaam Carr, Keagan Johannes, David Kriel.

UNAVAILABLE FOR SELECTION

Jan Serfontein, Akker van der Merwe, Sebastian de Klerk, Cheswill Jooste, Canan Moodie, Cameron Hanekom, Nicolaas Janse van Rensburg, Gerhard Steenekamp, Willie le Roux (Springbok protocol), Sintu Manjezi, Nama Xaba, Ruan Nortje.