Jake White pulls a few rabbits out of the hat for North-South derby against Stormers
It looks like Willie le Roux could extend his career by returning to the position where he made a name for himself as a schoolboy and junior, after being entrusted with the responsibility as midfield general for the Bulls in Saturday's important URC match against the Stormers in Cape Town.
Jan-Hendrik Wessels at loosehead prop against the Stormers’ Springbok star, Frans Malherbe; Willie le Roux at flyhalf; Marcell Coetzee back as captain and Canan Moodie back in the starting line-up.
These are just some of the several interesting changes Jake White has made to his team for Saturday’s big North-South derby in Cape Town, when the Bulls and the Stormers face off in the only URC match of the weekend.
World Cup-winning Springbok Canan Moodie will notch up his half-century of appearances in this game. He will achieve this milestone at the same ground and fixture, albeit in the domestic competition, where he made his debut three years back.
The 22-year-old shifts into the starting XV this weekend, where he will run at right wing with Sergeal Petersen on the left.
In between the fast movers will be the centre pairing of Harold Vorster and David Kriel with Devon Williams at the back.
Photo: simondp@actionimage
Embrose Papier, at scrumhalf, has a new halfback mate in Willie le Roux who will start at flyhalf for the first time since arriving at the capital after his impressive game management in the Jukskei Derby against the Lions a fortnight ago.
Up in front, Jan-Hendrik Wessels gets the nod at prop alongside fellow Springboks in Wilco Louw and Johann Grobbelaar who will lace up his boots at hooker.
In the second row, Cobus Wiese and JF van Heerden pair up at lock with Marcell Coetzee – who captains the side – at loose forward alongside Reinhardt Ludwig, while Cameron Hanekom completes the pack at number eight.
White has opted for a five-three split impact squad featuring Akker van der Merwe, Gerhard Steenekamp, Francois Klopper, Ruan Vermaak, Nizaam Carr, Zak Burger, Boeta Chamberlain and Sebastian de Klerk.
BULLS vs STORMERS STARTING XV: 1. Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 2. Johann Grobbelaar, 3. Wilco Louw, 4. Cobus Wiese, 5. JF van Heerden, 6. Marcell Coetzee (c), 7. Reinhardt Ludwig, 8. Cameron Hanekom, 9. Embrose Papier, 10. Willie le Roux, 11. Sergeal Petersen, 12. Harold Vorster, 13. David Kriel, 14. Canan Moodie, 15. Devon Williams
REPLACEMENTS: 16. Akker van der Merwe, 17. Gerhard Steenekamp, 18. Francois Klopper, 19. Ruan Vermaak, 20. Nizaam Carr, 21. Zak Burger, 22. Boeta Chamberlain, 23. Sebastian de Klerk
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