Settled Lions prepare to host resurgent Bulls in URC derby
The Lions welcome the Bulls for Round 11 of the United Rugby Championship for the historic Jukskei Derby at Ellis Park this Saturday.
Bulls reshuffle squad for Lions derby at Ellis Park
The Pretoria side are without Gerhard Steenekamp, Akker van der Merwe, Ruan Nortje, Sebastian de Klerk, Cheswill Jooste and Canan Moodie through injury, while veteran Willie le Roux is rested. Despite this, the Bulls retain an experienced core, including an all-Springbok front row of Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Johan Grobbelaar and Wilco Louw, with Handré Pollard steering the attack and Marcell Coetzee captaining the side.
Springbok flanker Elrigh Louw returns at openside, with Mpilo Gumede moving to the bench, while Reinhardt Ludwig starts at lock after Nortje failed a late fitness test. Cobus Wiese provides additional impact among the replacements.
At scrumhalf, Embrose Papier starts ahead of Zak Burger as the Bulls look to increase tempo against a high-energy Lions side. The midfield is also reworked, with Harold Vorster starting at inside centre and Stedman Gans at outside centre. David Kriel shifts to the bench, while De Klerk is sidelined by concussion protocols.
In the back three, Stravino Jacobs starts on the wing and Devon Williams takes over at fullback, adding pace and aerial strength for what is expected to be a tactical kicking contest at altitude.
Bulls - 15 Devon Williams, 14 Stravino Jacobs, 13 Stedman Gans, 12 Harold Vorster, 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 10 Handre Pollard, 9 Embrose Papier, 8 Jeandre Rudolph, 7 Elrigh Louw, 6 Marcell Coetzee (captain), 5 Reinhardt Ludwig, 4 Ruan Vermaak, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 1 Jan-Hendrik Wessels.
Replacements: 16 Marco van Staden, 17 Alu Tshakweni, 18 Mornay Smith, 19 Cobus Wiese, 20 Mpilo Gumede, 21 Nizaam Carr, 22 Keagan Johannes, 23 David Kriel.
Junior Bok star Haashim Pead secures long-term future with Lions
The Lions have strengthened their ranks for the coming years by securing the signature of Junior Springbok scrum-half Haashim Pead on a contract running until 2028.
Stormers looking to set the record straight against the Sharks
Former Springbok and Stormers centre Juan de Jong says the Stormers will be eager to get back to winning ways in the URC after losing their undefeated record against the Bulls last time out.
Bulls out for revenge against Lions in the URC
Bulls flank Marcell Coetzee says they are eager to make amends for losing to the Lions at Loftus Versveld earlier this season in the United Rugby Championship.