Cheswill Jooste will have to play opposite Scotland star Duhan van der Merwe in just his fourth non-Currie Cup game for the Bulls.
Bulls head coach Johan Ackermann said he backs 19-year-old Cheswill Jooste to face Scotland’s all-time leading try scorer, and believes the challenge will aid his development even if the contest does not go his way.
The Junior Springbok will earn just his fourth non-Currie Cup cap for the Bulls when they play against Edinburgh in their 10th round United Rugby Championship match at Hive Stadium on Friday night (kick-off 9.45pm).
The Bulls sit one place below Edinburgh at 11th, wanting a win to restore pride after just coming out of a seven-match losing streak.
Jooste v Van der Merwe
Jooste was one of the shining stars in the team that won the U20 World Championships last year. He was quickly picked up by the Bulls, and was one of three Junior Boks to join a Springbok training camp, eliciting praise from national coach Rassie Erasmus in the process.
Jooste has been an exciting talent to watch in his limited appearances this season, scoring two URC tries and one in the Champions Cup, matching his total number of caps.
But he will have an unprecedented challenge starting at right wing, opposite Edinburgh’s Duhan van der Merwe.
The South African-born flyer has 35 tries in 52 caps for Scotland. At the age of 30, he is set to extend his record, though Edinburgh teammate Darcy Graham is one try behind.
A fierce aerial battle
The powerful, straight-lined attacker is also prolific in the air, and that was where Ackermann foresaw the greatest challenge, as Edinburgh expects wet and windy conditions from 4°C to 7°C.
“We have to win the aerial battle,” the Bulls coach said. “Unfortunately, it will be a big challenge for Cheswill. But Canan Moodie, unfortunately, could not get over the line to be selectable. But we have faith in those guys [back-ups] to do the job for us.”
Ackermann said the game would be good for Jooste’s development regardless of how the game goes.
“It will be harsh to judge him on one game but hopefully it will go well. Thankfully, there are players with experience who can back him.”
Moodie’s HIA protocol absence also sees regular wing Sebastian de Klerk set to play just his second match at outside centre, after last week’s 26-24 win over Section Paloise (Pau).
Ackermann said De Klerk ticks the boxes for an outside centre and it will be good to see how he does. He will also have to go against a South African-born opponent, in Wes Goosen, who had a great URC last season.
