With Hanekom out, Eskom comes in to fill the gap for Bulls

The Vodacom Bulls have made one enforced change to their team for Saturday’s Vodacom United Rugby Championship Grand Final after the injury to loose forward and Springbok Cameron Hanekom in last weekend’s semifinal.

But while Hanekom is a massive loss for this weekend’s Grand Final against Irish juggernaut at Croke Park in Dublin, the Bulls have the luxury of replacing him with a World Cup winner in Marco van Staden, who certainly won’t let the side down.

Van Staden was on the bench for the semifinal win over the Hollywoodbets Sharks and comes into the starting line-up to form a potent loose trio alongside captain Ruan Nortje, who continues in his new role at seven, while Marcell Coetzee shifts to eight to give more balance to the loose trio.

Van Staden’s place on the bench is taken by another Springbok in Nizaam Carr, who has captained the side before and will bring a wealth of experience along for the role.

The rest of the side is unchanged, with the front row of Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Johan Grobbelaar and Wilco Louw looking forward to another set-piece battle while the Bulls have more than enough firepower at the back.

Still, with Leinster fielding a virtual international side, the Bulls will start as underdogs, and their bench - which includes Springbok Akker van der Merwe and Champions’ Cup winner Jannes Kirsten will need to bring an impact if the Bulls are to get home.

The match kicks off at 6pm and is live on SuperSport.

Vodacom Bulls: Willie le Roux; Canan Moodie, David Kriel, Harold Vorster, Sebastian de Klerk; Johan Goosen, Embrose Papier; Marcell Coetzee, Ruan Nortje (captain), Marco van Staden, JF van Heerden, Cobus Wiese, Wilco Louw, Johan Grobbelaar, Jan-hendrik Wessels.

Replacement: Akker van der Merwe, Alulutho Tshakweni, Mornay Smith, Jannes Kirsten, Nizaam Carr, Zak Burger, Keagan Johannes, Devon Williams.