Bulls announce squad for Munster: ‘It’s the best side we can put on the field’

Bulls director of rugby Jake White was optimistic and visibly more at ease when addressing media ahead of the Bulls v Munster United Rugby Championship (URC) match at Thomond Park, Limerick, on Saturday (kick-off 6.15pm).

The coach announced a strong side to play in Ireland. Barring the more serious injuries to Springboks Willie le Roux and Elrigh Louw, and the missing out of Springbok Marco van Staden (birth of his child) and lock Reinhardt Ludwig, White said it was the strongest possible side available.

Bulls announce strong squad

2023’s Golden Boot winner Johan Goosen returns to the starting XV after a long injury lay-off, while club captain Ruan Nortje starts his second match back.

Springbok wing Canan Moodie also returns to the starting side after impressing on the bench against Edinburgh last week, making the most line-breaks and third-most carries on the day despite only coming on in the second half.

Sebastian de Klerk also returns after serving his two-match ban for an aerial collision.

Cobus Wiese returns at lock, Jan-Hendrik Wessels at prop, and scrumhalf Embrose Papier rounds off the changes in a side that had White beaming.

“The jigsaw puzzle is coming back together. It’s the best side we can put on the field,” White said. “We’ve got a couple of springboks across the board. Hopefully, we can keep everyone fit and injury-free so we can have the best combinations playing their best rugby in the coming weeks.”

Bulls starting XV: Devon Williams, Sebastian de Klerk, David Kriel, Harold Vorster, Canan Moodie, Johan Goosen, Embrose Papier, Cameron Hanekom, Jannes Kirsten, Marcell Coetzee, Ruan Nortje (c), Cobus Wiese, Wilco Louw, Akker van der Merwe, Jan-Hendrik Wessels.

Replacements: Johann Grobbelaar, Simphiwe Matanzima, Mornay Smith, JF van Heerden, Celimpilo Gumede, Zak Burger, Keagan Johannes, Stravino Jacobs.