Elrigh Louw is among eight changes made to the Vodacom Bulls side that will take on Northampton Saints in the second round of the 2024/25 Investec Champions Cup. Louw returns to lead the herd in front of home support on Saturday 14 December at Loftus Versfeld Stadium.
- Elrigh returns to captain the side
- Wessels set for first run since ankle surgery
- Slabbert set for first appearance since arriving on loan
- Backline remains unchanged; four other changes made to the impact squad
The match kicks off at 15h00 and tickets start from R 50.00c only from Ticketpro.
Amongst the changes are forwards trio: Wilco Louw, Jan-hendrik Wessels and Deon Slabbert all returning to the fold. Wessels makes his return to action after recovering from an ankle injury, whilst Slabbert will get to make his first run in blue since arriving for his second loan spell in the capital.
Wilco’s (loose-head prop) return to the starting XV sees him slot into the front row alongside Gerhard Steenekamp (tight-head prop) and hooker Akker van der Merwe. Ruan Vermaak and junior Springbok JF van Heerden combine again at lock in the second row, with skipper Louw starting at flank alongside Marcell Coetzee. At the back of the pack will be Springbok Cameron Hanekom at eight.
Director of Rugby Jake White has opted to retain the services of the same backline that did duty in the opening round of the campaign. The General, Willie le Roux, will run at fullback with Canan Moodie and David Kriel at centre, whilst Sebastian de Klerk and Devon Williams will run out as wings.
The only other changes made to the matchday squad are in the impact squad, which sees Kuyenzeka Xaba, Zak Burger, Boeta Chamberlain and Stedman Gans are all set to make a return to the matchday fold. Forwards Alulutho Tshakweni and Francois Klopper are the other players who complete the five-three split bench.
On selection and squad availability going into the weekend, White remarked: “Marco [van Staden] has had to go for an ankle repair, Mpilo [Gumede] is still serving his suspension and Nizaam [Carr] had his appendicitis removed.”
Asked about his expectations of the visiting English outfit and whether or not revenge is at the top of his mind, White said he expects a tough challenge and is particularly keen to see how the visitors adapt to conditions in the highveld.
“I do not talk about revenge and the old days of we do not like them; they do not like us is old news. Rugby is different now. They [Saints] beat us last year, and they beat us fair and square. So what happened last year has now become immaterial, modern rugby players do not feed off the revenge perspective,”
“They have five international backs and the other backs are just as dangerous, and they were there when they carved us to pieces last year.”
“What I am looking forward to is to see if they can play their way at altitude with the heat and travel, and if they do, then hats off to them. If they can come to Loftus and run like they like to run, play like they want to play and can play, and beat us here; then you have got to say that they are a good team.”
On the pressure of having to win to keep tournament hopes alive, White responded: “Our progression in the tournament is not necessarily pinned on tomorrow’s results but every Saturday is a must-win for us. Even if you are playing a friendly or pre-season, that’s the club we represent.”
VODACOM BULLS vs NORTHAMPTON SAINTS STARTING XV: 1. Gerhard Steenekamp, 2. Akker van der Merwe, 3. Wilco Louw, 4. Ruan Vermaak, 5. JF van Heerden, 6. Marcell Coetzee, 7. Elrigh Louw (c), 8. Cameron Hanekom, 9. Embrose Papier, 10. Johan Goosen, 11. Devon Williams, 12. David Kriel, 13. Canan Moodie, 14. Sebastian de Klerk, 15. Willie le Roux
VODACOM BULLS IMPACT SQUAD: 16. Jan-hendrik Wessels, 17. Alulutho Tshakweni, 18. Francois Klopper, 19. Deon Slabbert, 20. Kuyenzeka Nama Xaba, 21. Zak Burger, 22. Boeta Chamberlain, 23. Stedman Gans
MANAGEMENT: Jake White – Director of Rugby, Chris Rossouw – Assistant Coach, Werner Kruger – Assistant Coach, Andries Bekker – Assistant Coach, Jean Tiedt – Assistant Coach, Kennedy Tsimba – Assistant Coach, Phiwe Nomlomo – Assistant Coach, John-William Meyer – Technical Analyst, Dr. Herman Rossouw – Team Doctor, Lance Lammetjies & Darryn Berry – Physiotherapists, Andre Volsteedt – Strength & Conditioning, Yusuf Vahed – Sport Scientist, Elias Bennett – Team Manager, Simon Dyidi – Logistics Manager
