Johan Goosen back in Bulls No 10 jersey for Zebre clash

Bulls boss Jake White has backed seasoned No 10 Johan Goosen to produce the goods when his team take on Italy’s Zebre in a crucial United Rugby Championship match at Ellis Park on Saturday.

Goosen returns to the URC side after a long spell on the sidelines, following a shoulder operation seven weeks ago, and having returned to the game via the Currie Cup last week.

With Goosen in the No 10 jersey, Chris Smith will play off the bench.

Double-header

The Bulls will be at “home” at Ellis Park at 1pm in a double-header that also features the Lions playing against Leinster at 4pm.

The fixtures will be reversed at Loftus Versfeld next Saturday, with the Lions taking on Zebre at 1pm and the Bulls hosting Leinster at 4pm.

The Bulls, who are seventh on the points table, are being hunted by the Sharks, Benetton, Cardiff Rugby and thee Lions and need to win against Zebre to go into the final round of matches next week with a chance of making the top eight and quarter-finals.

There are seven Springboks in the Bulls starting team with a further two on the bench.

Zebre have failed to win a game this season and prop up the points table.

Bulls: Kurt-Lee Arendse, Canan Moodie, Stedman Gans, Harold Vorster, David Kriel, Johan Goosen, Embrose Papier, Elrigh Louw, Cyle Brink, Marco van Staden, Ruan Nortje (capt), Ruan Vermaak, Mornay Smith, Johan Grobbelaar, Gerhard Steenekamp. Bench: Bismarck du Plessis, Dylan Smith, Francois Klopper, Janko Swanepoel, WJ Steenkamp, Keagan Johannes, Chris Smith, Cornal Hendricks