Bulls to do it for Cornal Hendricks in URC clash against Dragons
Bulls v Dragons: 1. Jan-hendrik Wessels, 2. Akker van der Merwe, 3. Mornay Smith, 4. Cobus Wiese, 5. JF van Heerden, 6. Kuyenzeka Nama Xaba, 7. Ruan Nortje (c), 8. Cameron Hanekom, 9. Zak Burger, 10. Keagan Johannes, 11. Sergeal Petersen, 12. David Kriel, 13. Canan Moodie, 14. Sebastian de Klerk, 15. Willie le Roux
Substitutes: 16. Johan Grobbelaar, 17. Simphiwe Matanzima, 18. Francois Klopper, 19. Jannes Kirsten, 20. Marcell Coetzee, 21. Bernard van der Linde, 22. Stedman Gans, 23. Devon Williams
Lions v Ospreys: 1. Juan Schoeman, 2. Jaco Visagie (c), 3. Asenathi Ntlabakanye, 4. Ruan Venter, 5. Ruan Delport, 6. JC Pretorius, 7. Renzo du Plessis, 8. Jarod Cairns, 9. Nico Steyn, 10. Lubabalo Dobela, 11. Edwill van der Merwe, 12. Bronson Mills, 13. Henco van Wyk, 14. Richard Kriel, 15. Quan Horn
Substitutes: 16. Morne Brandon, 17. SJ Kotze, 18. RF Schoeman, 19. Izan Esterhuizen, 20. WJ Steenkamp, 21. Layton Horn, 22. Marius Louw, 23. Kelly Mpeku
Sharks v Scarlets: 1. Ox Nche, 2. Bongi Mbonambi, 3. Vincent Koch, 4. Eben Etzebeth (C), 5. Emile van Heerden, 6. Tino Mavesere, 7. Vincent Tshituka, 8. Phepsi Buthelezi, 9. Jaden Hendrikse, 10. Siya Masuku, 11. Makazole Mapimpi, 12. André Esterhuizen, 13. Jurenzo Julius, 14. Ethan Hooker, 15. Aphelele Fassi
Substitutes: 16. Fez Mbatha, 17. Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18. Hanro Jacobs, 19. Jason Jenkins, 20. Nick Hatton, 21. Bradley Davids, 22. Francois Venter. 23. Yaw Penxe
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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
Lock Lood de Jager (third from left) was one of several Japan-based players at Thursday's Springbok practice at Johannesburg Stadium. Photo: ITUMELENG ENGLISH Independent Media Image: ITUMELENG ENGLISH Independent Media Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus will be wearing blue on Saturday when the Bulls play Leinster in the United Rugby Championship final, but won't pick any of Jake White's men for the season opener against the Barbarians on June 28 in Cape Town. Erasmus also confirmed that it is unlikely that injured Bulls No 8 Cameron Hanekom will play this year, and the same goes for props Frans Malherbe and Trevor Nyakane, and utility forward Deon Fourie. The Bok boss added that he was disappointed that Juarno Augustus will not be joining the squad for the foreseeable future because of a rib injury he picked up playing for Northampton. The former World Junior Player of the Year had been in line for a Springbok debut after a long apprenticeship in English rugby. 'It will be great if the Bulls can pull it off,' Erasmus said. 'There are at least 13 Bulls players that are either already Boks or are in our plans, and if they join our camp as champions, it will be a nice boost. 'I'm good friends with (Leinster defence) coach Jacques Nienaber, but I will be cheering for the Bulls. 'Jake has done us some favours with how he has moved guys around positions, like Jan-Hendrik Wessels (in the front row), and Ruan Nortjé (lock and flank). 'Then you have a guy like (wing) Sebastian de Klerk knocking hard on the door, while (scrumhalf) Embrose Papier has hit form and is showing he is very much Springbok material.' 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 Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading Erasmus explained that he would not pick the Bulls players for the Barbarians game because they will join the camp late after their arrival back from Dublin, and won't be able to participate in sufficient training sessions before that match. The coach cleared up the speculation around Stormers No 8 Evan Roos, whom he initially ignored before calling him up as a replacement for the injured Hanekom. 'I read in the media that it must be because of a personal issue that I didn't pick Evan. That is not true, and you can ask Evan himself. It was nothing like that,' Erasmus said. 'In my opinion, he just wasn't playing as well as the other number eights, and that doesn't mean he was playing badly. 'Sometimes you have guys of Springbok standard, like Evan, but other guys are ahead of them, or we have guys that can fit into the position in question. 'For instance, we have Kwagga Smith who can play number eight. It can also be a case of the guys we pick fit in better with what we are trying to do.' Looking ahead to the Barbarians match, Erasmus said it was a difficult game to prepare for. 'We want to start our season on the right foot, but we won't have all of our players. 'Besides the Bulls, we have quite a long list of walking wounded that we want to have ready for the Italy series. 'The Barbarians game is a good opportunity to use our guys from Japan – the likes of Jesse Kriel, Faf de Klerk, Damian de Allende, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Kurt-Lee Arendse, Cheslin Kolbe and Malcolm Marx – because they have not had a lot of rugby for a while. 'It is not a Test match, but we also have to make sure the team is good enough. We don't want a hiding in our first game. 'I have coached the Barbarians before. They get together on the Sunday, and while they will all be talented players, we can't do any analysis on them. 'The one thing we know is that they will play with no pressure. That makes them dangerous.' The list of players currently injured but expected back fairly soon includes Gerhard Steenekamp, Ntuthuko Mchunu, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Ben-Jason Dixon, Augustus, Lukhanyo Am, Jasper Wiese, Grant Williams, Damian Willemse and Makazole Mapimpi. Erasmus added that further complications around the start of the season will be the late arrival in the camp of two players involved in Saturday's English Premiership final, Thomas du Toit (Bath) and Handré Pollard (Leicester).
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.' Leo Cullen, Leinster's head coach, said on Thursday that the Bulls would rock up at Croke Park with a ton of experience, highlighting double World Cup winner Willie le Roux and the experienced Coetzee, who played rugby in Ireland in his career, as key men. 'We know what we are up against, and it will be a hugely physical challenge. It won't be easy, but it's amazing to be here,' he said. 'Them playing away from home could make them a more difficult team... I hope not,' Cullen added on the visiting side playing their third final, but this time away from South Africa. 'They have travelled well throughout the year and had a couple of good wins here. 'They will be very confident coming into the game, and they have plenty of international experience. I know Jake tries to play that down. We know it will be a huge challenge. 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.
