URC semi-finals: No Etzebeth for Sharks, Jake backs Goosen's pedigree as Bulls' No 10
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1h ago
Sights set on Dublin 💪
Here is your Glasgow Warriors team to take on Leinster in tomorrow's #BKTURC Semi Final! 👊
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📺 @PremSportsTV #WhateverItTakes | @MackenzieConstr pic.twitter.com/BHAx2Lyi1K
— Glasgow Warriors (@GlasgowWarriors) June 6, 2025
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Jake backs Goosen pedigree to start at 10 for Bulls
Bulls director of rugby Jake White has backed Johan Goosen's pedigree in their United Rugby Championship semi-final against the Sharks at Loftus on Saturday.
Goosen, who has had an on-and-off season with injury and last played for the Bulls against Cardiff in their penultimate game of the regular season, is the only change to the starting line-up in place of Keagan Johannes.
Johannes, who has delivered strong performances when filling in for Goosen, moves to the bench where backline player Stedman Gans makes way.
The Bulls have named Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Johan Grobbelaar and Wilco Louw to face up to the Sharks' Bok front row, while Cameron Hanekom, Marcell Coetzee and Ruan Nortje make up a formidable loose trio.
Willie le Roux is at fullback, with Canan Moodie and Sebastian de Klerk the fliers on the wings.
Bulls team
15 Willie le Roux, 14 Canan Moodie, 13 David Kriel, 12 Harold Voster, 11 Sebastian de Klerk, 10 Johan Goosen, 9 Embrose Papier, 8 Cameron Hanekom, 7 Ruan Nortje (captain), 6 Marcell Coetzee, 5 JF van Heerden, 4 Cobus Wiese, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 1 Jan-Hendrik Wessels
Substitutes: 16 Akker van der Merwe, 17 Simphiwe Matanzima, 18 Mornay Smith, 19 Jannes Kirsten, 20 Marco van Staden, 21 Zak Burger, 22 Keagan Johannes, 23 Devon Williams
3h ago
No Etzebeth for Sharks in Loftus showdown with Bulls
The Sharks will start with a new lock pairing in their United Rugby Championship semi-final against the Bulls, after skipper Eben Etzebeth picked up an injury during training this week.
Etzebeth, who has spent substantial time on the sidelines this season, will miss the Sharks' biggest game of the season.
Sharks coach John Plumtree said on Friday that Etzebeth suffered a head knock during training earlier this week and a call was made not to field him this weekend.
'He took a knock a head knock at training and we decided that it's best not to risk him this week,' Plumtree said.
'We made a pretty early call and he's feeling a lot better, by the way. He's been communicating with me and the team.
'I'm not too concerned and, if we go through, he'll be available for next week."
Etzebeth is expected to be with the Springboks on Sunday as he is part of the recently announced training squad.
The 33-year-old has joined his lock partner, Jason Jenkins, who is also on the mend after leaving the field with an injury in last weekend's quarter-final clash against Munster.
Plumtree's hand has been forced in starting with the lock pairing of Corne Rahl and Emile van Heerden.
The Sharks' forward pack is made up of an all-Springbok front row in Ox Nche, Bongi Mbonambi and Vincent Koch.
Siya Kolisi will captain the team in the No 8 jersey, with James Venter and Vincent Tshituka completing the loose trio.
The Hendrikse brothers, Jaden and Jordan, will form the halfback pairing with Andre Esterhuizen and Lukhanyo Am in midfield.
Makazole Mapimpi and Ethan Hooker will be on the wings with Aphelele Fassi at fullback.
The one change on the bench that stands out is Jurenzo Julius taking the place of Francois Venter.
Kick-off at Loftus Versfeld for the last four clash is at 18:15.
Sharks team
15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Ethan Hooker, 13 Lukanyo Am, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Jordan Hendrikse, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 8 Siya Kolisi, 7 Vincent Tshituka, 6 James Venter, 5 Emile van Heerden, 4 Corne Rahl, 3 Vincent Koch, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Ox Nche.
Substitutes: 16 Fez Mbatha, 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18 Hanro Jacobs, 19 Deon Slabbert, 20 Phepsi Buthelezi, 21 Bradley Davids, 22 Jurenzo Julius, 23 Yaw Penxe.
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