Bulls make three changes, Willie and rookie benched

Posted : 24 April 2025

Vodacom Bulls coach Jake White made some unexpected changes to his starting lineup just hours before their upcoming Vodacom United Rugby Championship match against defending champions Glasgow Warriors. In a surprise move, White altered the loose trio and included both a rookie and a seasoned player on the bench.

Cameron Hanekom and Marcell Coetzee, who played key roles in the win over Munster, have been rested for the game. Hanekom is recovering from the physical toll of the match, while Coetzee's knee issues and the impact of 4G pitches have led to his placement on the bench. The big surprise came when White shifted captain Ruan Nortje from lock to the seven-flank position, and reintroduced World Cup winner Marco van Staden, reshaping the loose trio for this critical encounter.

Alongside these changes, JF van Heerden returns to the side to partner Cobus Wiese in the lock position, while the backline remains unchanged. The inclusion of veteran Willie le Roux on the bench, who has recently recovered from shoulder surgery, adds depth to the team, as does the debut of Jacobus Grobbelaar, a promising under-20 lock.

White explained the changes as part of a broader strategy to manage players and optimize their performances as the season progresses. He noted that le Roux’s return had always been planned, but they gave him an extra week to ensure he was fully ready for the competition. White expects le Roux to rejoin the national setup in the later stages of the season.

Regarding van Staden's absence, White clarified that the World Cup winner had returned home for the birth of his second child, and his return was always contingent on whether any complications arose. Fortunately, he was able to return without any issues. The changes to the back row are also partly a result of Coetzee's ongoing knee problem, exacerbated by the 4G pitches, and White seized this opportunity to test Nortje in a new role and give Coetzee a much-needed break.

White also addressed the media’s portrayal of the upcoming game as a grudge match, particularly following last season’s final, where the Bulls lost to Glasgow. He made it clear that the team was not motivated by revenge, and he dismissed any narrative of a personal vendetta. Drawing an analogy to Rory McIlroy’s pursuit of a Masters win after his 14-year wait, White emphasized that, for him, it was about improving and performing well against the reigning champions, not dwelling on past disappointments.

In response to comments from Glasgow's attack coach, Nigel Carolan, who suggested the Bulls were coming with a vendetta, White remained unfazed. He stated that he was focused on coaching the team and that his approach to rugby was not based on emotional revenge but rather on professional competition and continuous improvement.

The final team for the Vodacom Bulls is as follows: Devon Williams, Canan Moodie, David Kriel, Harold Vorster, Sebastian de Klerk, Johan Goosen, Embrose Papier, Marco van Staden, Ruan Nortje (captain), Jannes Kirsten, JF van Heerden, Cobus Wiese, Wilco Louw, Johann Grobbelaar, and Jan-hendrik Wessels. The bench includes Akker van der Merwe, Simphiwe Matanzima, Mornay Smith, Jacobus Grobbelaar, Marcell Coetzee, Keagan Johannes, Willie le Roux, and Stedman Gans.

Bulls make three changes, Willie and rookie benched

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