The Bulls head to Ireland on Monday with 13 Springboks in their ranks for a three-week United Rugby Championship tour, where they face Ulster, Connacht and Glas
Unfortunately, a failed HIA scuppered Marcell Coetzee’s chances and the flank will remain at home (for now) where he will be regularly assessed by medical staff. He had led the Bulls to two fine opening wins, but will now be replaced as captain by hooker Johann Grobbelaar.
Meanwhile, Kurt-Lee Arendse remains in rehab nursing a hamstring injury, but could be considered down the line.
Also, as per player welfare protocols, tighthead Wilco Louw will be replaced after week two by Khuta Mchunu. Ruan Nortje is also staying at home to rest, but will be available if an SOS goes out.
The Bulls have been bolstered by the return of Cheswill Jooste, Jan Serfontein and Cobus Wiese, all of whom missed the weekend’s match against Leinster.
The addition of Springboks like Handre Pollard, Wilco Louw and Canan Moodie will doubtless add steel to the squad, although the challenge, as intimated by coach Johan Ackermann, will be to seamlessly integrate them.
“We’ve got individual plans in place, but injuries have already forced one or two changes,” Ackermann told the Bulls website.
“Hopefully, we’ll integrate them quickly. It’s probably the biggest challenge for Handre, just because he’s the newest addition, while the others have played with us before.”
Bulls touring squad
Alulutho Tshkweni; Canan Moodie; Cheswill Jooste; Cobus Wiese; David Kriel; Devon Williams; Embrose Papier; Francois Kloppers; Gerhard Steenekamp; Handre Pollard; Harold Vorster; Jan Hendrik Wessels; Jan Serfontein; Jean Else; Jeandre Rudolph; JJ Theron; Johann Grobbelaar (c); Johan Goosen; Keagan Johannes; Marco van Staden; Mornay Smith; Mpilo Gumede; N J van Rensburg; Nama Xaba; Paul de Wet; Reinhardt Ludwig; Sebastian de Klerk; Stravino Jacobs; Wilco Louw; Willie le Roux; Zak Burger.
