Johan Goosen returns as flyhalf for Bulls' semi-final clash against Sharks
Bulls flyhalf Johan Goosen is back in the starting lineup for the semi-final agains the Sharks on Saturday in Pretoria
Johan Goosen is back at flyhalf for the Bulls' crucial semi-final against the Sharks at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday evening (6.15 pm kick-off).
Goosen is the only change to the starting side that beat Edinburgh last weekend, with the influential Keagan Johannes dropping to the bench to provide an impact when he is called upon.
It is largely the same team that beat the Scottish club and director of rugby Jake White will look for a complete performance this time around from his troops. They failed to fire in the first half and had to play catch-up rugby against Edinburgh to eventually win the match.
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IOL News
6 hours ago
- IOL News
‘No personal issue with Evan Roos': Rassie Erasmus rules out Bulls for Springboks-Barbarians clash, Juarno Augustus injured
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IOL News
6 hours ago
- IOL News
Bulls need to give little bit extra to beat Leinster in URC final, says Jake White
Bulls captain Ruan Nortjé (right) and his Leinster counterpart Jack Conan pose with the coveted United Rugby Championship trophy ahead of the Grand Final in Dublin. Photo: INPHO Photography Image: INPHO Photography The Bulls will be just as desperate, if not more than their opponents Leinster, to win Saturday's United Rugby Championship (URC) final in Dublin. Playing in their third final, director of rugby Jake White knows just how important the clash at Croke Park (6pm SA time start) will be as they look to claim a maiden URC title after failing with their two attempts in South Africa. White, at this stage of the season, was in the fortunate position of making only one forced change to his starting side on Thursday, with Springbok Marcell Coetzee taking over the No 8 jersey after the injury to Cameron Hanekom. World Cup winner Marco van Staden will start at openside flank as Coetzee makes a positional switch from the side of the scrum. 🎉 This is it. The stage is set. Croke Park awaits 🎉 Who will become the new #BKTURC Champion? 🏆 Be there for the drama. Get your ticket now 🎟️👉 | #LEIvBUL — BKT United Rugby Championship (URC) (@URCOfficial) June 11, 2025 Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ There is also one change on the bench, with Springbok loose forward Nizaam Carr taking his place amongst the replacements, with Van Staden promoted to the starting XV. 'What all teams hope is to put their best team forward for the final three weeks of the season,' White said on Thursday. 'If you want to have a fair crack, you must have your best available, and these players are our best players. 'If you reach a final, everyone is desperate to win; let's be fair. No one sits in a final and says we are not desperate or as desperate as the other team... it would be naïve. Your star-studded Grand Finalists ready to battle 💥 Get your tickets to witness history at Croke Park on Saturday 👉 #URC — Vodacom United Rugby Championship (URC) (@URCOfficial_RSA) June 12, 2025 'I can only worry about what we want to do. We've had three chances, this is our third, and we will be desperate. 'But it goes deeper than that. It is not just about the rugby and being desperate. I think it's about that little bit extra. 'That is the test we will all have – which one is more desperate when everything is on the line.' A new winner will be crowned on Saturday, with the final also taking place outside of South Africa for the very first time. White added that with Hanekom out, he spent a bit more time this week praying for rain. Coetzee will bring something different to the mobility that Hanekom brings on defence and attack, but his experience in Irish conditions could be a game-changer. World Cup winner Van Staden's presence at the breakdown and his energetic ball-carrying will give the Bulls more ammunition in a tight game. 'He (Marco) is a World Cup winner, and he is playing against Josh van der Flier, which will be a great challenge,' White said. 'When you move the deck chairs, you get different options. There will be things we won't be as good at without Cameron. 'However, there will be things we will be much better at with Marcell at number eight. 'It won't make a difference who we have because Leinster will play like Leinster, and we will have to be good enough to beat them.' 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Bulls Team 15 Willie le Roux 14 Canan Moodie 13 David Kriel 12 Harold Vorster 11 Sebastian de Klerk 10 Johan Goosen 9 Embrose Papier 8 Marcell Coetzee 7 Ruan Nortjé (captain) 6 Marco van Staden 5 JF van Heerden 4 Cobus Wiese 3 Wilco Louw 2 Johan Grobbelaar 1 Jan-Hendrik Wessels. Bench: 16 Akker van der Merwe 17 Alulutho Tshakweni 18 Mornay Smith 19 Jannes Kirsten 20 Nizaam Carr 21 Zak Burger 22 Keagan Johannes 23 Devon Williams. Leinster Team 15 Jimmy O'Brien 14 Tommy O'Brien 13 Garry Ringrose 12 Jordie Barrett 11 James Lowe 10 Sam Prendergast 9 Jamison Gibson-Park 8 Jack Conan (captain) 7 Josh van der Flier 6 Ryan Baird 5 James Ryan 4 Joe McCarthy 3 Thomas Clarkson 2 Dan Sheehan 1 Andrew Porter. Bench: 16 Ronan Kelleher 17 Jack Boyle 18 Rabah Slimani 19 RG Snyman 20 Max Deegan 21 Luke McGrath 22 Ross Byrne 23 Jamie Osborne.
The Citizen
7 hours ago
- The Citizen
Van Staden starts, Carr returns as Bulls tweak pack for URC final
The Vodacom Bulls have made one enforced change for Saturday's URC decider against Leinster at Croke Park in Dublin following Cameron Hanekom's semi-final injury. Director of rugby Jake White has promoted Marco van Staden into the starting back row alongside captain Ruan Nortje, with Marcell Coetzee shifting to No 8. Nizaam Carr takes Van Staden's place on the bench in the only alteration to the match 23 replacements. The tight five remains intact with Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Johan Grobbelaar and Wilco Louw forming the front row, while Cobus Wiese partners JF van Heerden at lock. Embrose Papier and Johan Goosen continue their half-back partnership, with the backline unchanged from last week's victory over the Sharks at Loftus Versfeld. Also read: We're playing for each other, and Cornal – Willie Sebastian de Klerk and Canan Moodie occupy the wings, Harold Vorster and David Kriel combine in midield, and Willie le Roux starts at fullback. White maintains his five-three bench split with Carr joining Akker van der Merwe, Alulutho Tshakweni, Mornay Smith and Jannes Kirsten as forward cover. Zak Burger, Keagan Johannes and Devon Williams provide backline options. The Bulls head to Croke Park aiming to turn a promising record against Leinster into URC silverware. White's men have beaten the Irish giants in two semi-finals – including a famous win in Dublin – and lead the head-to-head 4-2 going into their third Grand Final in four seasons. South Africa's most decorated professional rugby franchise, with three Super Rugby titles and 25 Currie Cups, the Bulls – who boast three Elite XV selections (Hanekom, Jan-Hendrik Wessels and Wilco Louw) in 2024/25 – look to end a run of two URC final defeats. BULLS – 15 Willie le Roux, 24 Canan Moodie, 13 David Kriel, 12 Harold Vorster, 11 Sebastian de Klerk, 10 Johan Goosen, 9 Embrose Papier, 8 Marcell Coetzee, 7 Ruan Nortje (c), 6 Marco van Staden, 5 JF van Heerden, 4 Cobus Wiese, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 1 Jan-Hendrik Wessels. Bench: 16 Akker van der Merwe, 17 Alulutho Tshakweni, 18 Mornay Smith, 19 Jannes Kirsten, 20 Nizaam Carr, 21 Zak Burger, 22 Keagan Johannes, 23 Devon Williams. The post Jake re-jigs Bulls pack for finale appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
