When the Vodacom Bulls line up against the DHL Stormers in Paarl this Friday (3.30pm), coach Johan Ackermann won’t be judging success purely by the scoreline. Instead, the pre-season friendly presents an essential operational checklist: getting players battle-ready, stress-testing tactical combinations, and offering squad members a crucial opportunity to stake their claim.
With the official competitive Vodacom URC campaign fast approaching, Ackermann has named a dynamic 35-man squad structured to balance match sharpness with tactical experimentation across both halves.
The headline news for the Loftus faithful is the long-awaited return of utility back Sebastian de Klerk, who steps back onto the field after a lengthy sideline spell through injury. Getting valuable minutes into his legs will be a major boost for the Pretoria outfit’s backline depth as he competes alongside Riyaad Bam on the wing.
In all, four Springboks will be part of the squad on Friday, all pushing for places in the starting XV.
Curwin Bosch, bringing the flair.
Friday’s encounter is ultimately about getting answers in real time, starting with how a series of fresh combinations gel under genuine match pressure.
At flyhalf, the blend of experienced playmaker Curwin Bosch and promising youngster Ruben Groenewald offers an intriguing dynamic, while the midfield features plenty of punch and options with Harold Vorster, Stedman Gans, and Stravino Jacobs all in the mix to establish early chemistry ahead of the Vodacom URC opening rounds.
Up front, the primary directive is brutal contact conditioning. Weeks of internal training blocks can only teach a player so much, and subjecting the forward pack to high-tempo, uncompromising physical work is essential. Veteran heavyweights like Marcell Coetzee, Hanro Liebenberg, Ruan Vermaak, and Francois Klopper will be tasked with anchoring that battle, setting a stern physical benchmark from the opening whistle.
Beyond the seasoned stars, the fixture serves as an unforgiving proving ground for the squad’s deeper talent pool. Emerging prospects such as JF van Heerden, Cephas van Biljon, and Hakeem Kunene are being handed a high-pressure platform to show they can hold their own against top-tier opposition and force their way into selection conversations.
Underpinning the entire exercise is the delicate task of reintegrating key figures safely back into the fold. Managing the workload of returning stalwarts remains paramount, ensuring they build crucial match fitness and reach full speed without taking any unnecessary risks ahead of the long season to come.
While bragging rights are always on the line when these two traditional rivals clash, Ackermann’s ultimate objective remains absolute clarity on his best match-day options before the official points are up for grabs.
VODACOM BULLS
1 Alu Tshakweni, Sti Sithole, Sandi Msengana; 2 Juann Else, John Hobson, Christiaan Grundlingh; 3 Francois Klopper, Khuta Mchunu, Mornay Smith; 4 Ruan Vermaak, Jaco Grobbelaar; 5 JF van Heerden, Reinhardt Ludwig; 6 Marcell Coetzee, Cephas van Biljon; 7 Hanro Liebenberg, Nizaam Carr; 8 Jeandre Rudolph, JJ Theron; 9 Paul de Wet, Zak Burger, Keagan Johannes; 10 Curwin Bosch, Ruben Groenewald; 11 Riyaad Bam, Sebastian de Klerk; 12 Harold Vorster, Stravino Jacobs, Pieter van der Merwe; 13 Stedman Gans, Demitre Erasmus; 14 Thaakir Abrahams, Cheswill Jooste; 15 Willie le Roux, Hakeem Kunene.
