Hanekom, Le Roux back for Bulls, Nortje at No 7 for Cardiff clash

Bulls boss Jake White has decided to again back Springbok lock Ruan Nortje to play in the blindside flank position when his team take on Cardiff Rugby in a big United Rugby Championship match at Loftus on Saturday, at 4pm.

For the second match in a row, Nortje, who starred for the Springboks at lock last season, will wear the No 7 jersey.

Cobus Wiese and JF van Heerden will again be the second row pairing, as they were two weeks ago when the Bulls were last in action.

The other significant change to the Bulls team that currently sits in third place on the URC points table and is looking to move into second if things go their way in the final two rounds of regular season action, is at fullback where Willie le Roux returns.

‘Willie needs game time’

In their last match against Glasgow Warriors, which they won at Scotstoun, Le Roux played off the bench. This weekend he replaces Devon Williams at the back.

“It was a debatable call because Devon has had a great season,” said White. “He’s adapted nicely in the back field … he has pace and a good left boot. We’re not losing much in skill sets but Willie needs game time before the playoffs.

“He is our number one (fullback) and the incumbent Springbok. When it comes to the playoffs, Willie will be invaluable. He’s had high-profile games, so it’s good to give him a start and game time. He tales pressure off our wings and backline.”

Jan-Hendrik Wessels will play loosehead prop, with Johan Grobbelaar also starting again at hooker. Cameron Hanekom is also back in the starting team, after missing out against Glasgow Warriors because of injury, while Marcell Coetzee, who got hurt in the warm-up in Glasgow, is at openside flank.

The Bulls go into the match in third place with 58 points; Cardiff are fifth with 46 points.

Bulls: Willie le Roux, Canan Moodie, David Kriel, Harold Vorster, Sebastian de Klerk, Johan Goosen, Zak Burger, Cameron Hanekom, Ruan Nortje (capt), Marcell Coetzee, JF van Heerden, Cobus Wiese, Wilco Louw, Johan Grobbelaar, Jan-Hendrik Wessels. Bench: Akker van der Merwe, Alulutho Tshakweni, Mornay Smith, Jannes Kirsten, Marco van Staden, Keagan Johannes, Devon Williams, Stedman Gans