In a bold move that screams 'shake things up', Vodacom Bulls coach Johan Ackermann has revamped his squad with a sweeping 11-player shuffle for their upcoming URC clash against Connacht in Galway. This drastic overhaul follows a disappointing 28-7 thumping by Ulster, marking the Bulls' first stumble this season. Ackermann's gamble includes an injection of fresh legs with six new faces warming the bench as well.
Starting in the trenches, Alu Tshakweni will don the loosehead prop jersey, taking over from Gerhard Steenekamp, while Jan-Hendrik Wessels escalates from the bench to lead the line as hooker, replacing Johann Grobbelaar. The lock positions see Reinhardt Ludwig stepping in for Nicolaas Janse van Rensburg and taking on the captaincy. In the loose trio, JJ Theron and Nama Xaba are set to bring new dynamics, filling in for Marco van Staden and Mpilo Gumede.
The backline sees a major reshuffle as well. The halfback duties will be handled by Paul de Wet and Keagan Johannes, while Jan Serfontein slides into the midfield alongside David Kriel. Springbok flyhalf Handré Pollard is off to witness the birth of his second child back in South Africa, putting additional spotlight on the reshuffled backline.
"We need to bounce back and show what we're capable of. It's about finding that spark again," Ackermann noted, emphasizing the need for resilience.
At the back, Willie le Roux claims the fullback position with Canan Moodie patrolling the right wing. The Bulls, who have historically held the upper hand against Connacht with three wins out of four encounters, will be eager to replicate past successes and not repeat the 34-7 drubbing they received back in 2021 on the same turf.
Team Line-up: BULLS – 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Canan Moodie, 13 Dawid Kriel, 12 Jan Serfontein, 11 Sebastian de Klerk, 10 Keagan Johannes, 9 Paul de Wet, 8 Jeandre Rudolph, 7 JJ Theron, 6 Nama Xaba, 5 Reinhardt Ludwig (c), 4 Cobus Wiese, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 1 Alu Tshakweni. Bench: 16 Johan Grobbelaar, 17 Gerhard Steenekamp, 18 Francois Klopper, 19 Nicolaas Janse van Rensburg, 20 Mpilo Gumede, 21 Embrose Papier, 22 Harold Vorster, 23 Stravino Jacobs.
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In a bold move that screams 'shake things up', Vodacom Bulls coach Johan Ackermann has revamped his squad with a sweeping 11-player shuffle for their upcoming URC clash against Connacht in Galway. This drastic overhaul follows a disappointing 28-7 thumping by Ulster, marking the Bulls' first stumble this season. Ackermann's gamble includes an injection of fresh legs with six new faces warming the bench as well.
Starting in the trenches, Alu Tshakweni will don the loosehead prop jersey, taking over from Gerhard Steenekamp, while Jan-Hendrik Wessels escalates from the bench to lead the line as hooker, replacing Johann Grobbelaar. The lock positions see Reinhardt Ludwig stepping in for Nicolaas Janse van Rensburg and taking on the captaincy. In the loose trio, JJ Theron and Nama Xaba are set to bring new dynamics, filling in for Marco van Staden and Mpilo Gumede.
The backline sees a major reshuffle as well. The halfback duties will be handled by Paul de Wet and Keagan Johannes, while Jan Serfontein slides into the midfield alongside David Kriel. Springbok flyhalf Handré Pollard is off to witness the birth of his second child back in South Africa, putting additional spotlight on the reshuffled backline.
"We need to bounce back and show what we're capable of. It's about finding that spark again," Ackermann noted, emphasizing the need for resilience.
At the back, Willie le Roux claims the fullback position with Canan Moodie patrolling the right wing. The Bulls, who have historically held the upper hand against Connacht with three wins out of four encounters, will be eager to replicate past successes and not repeat the 34-7 drubbing they received back in 2021 on the same turf.
Team Line-up:
BULLS – 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Canan Moodie, 13 Dawid Kriel, 12 Jan Serfontein, 11 Sebastian de Klerk, 10 Keagan Johannes, 9 Paul de Wet, 8 Jeandre Rudolph, 7 JJ Theron, 6 Nama Xaba, 5 Reinhardt Ludwig (c), 4 Cobus Wiese, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 1 Alu Tshakweni.
Bench: 16 Johan Grobbelaar, 17 Gerhard Steenekamp, 18 Francois Klopper, 19 Nicolaas Janse van Rensburg, 20 Mpilo Gumede, 21 Embrose Papier, 22 Harold Vorster, 23 Stravino Jacobs.