Goosen and Hanekom return for Bulls' battle with Bayonnais

Flyhalf Johan Goosen and swashbuckling loose forward Cameron Hanekom headline the changes made by the Vodacom Bulls ahead of their EPCR Challenge Cup round of 16 matchup against French Top 14 outfit Aviron Bayonnais. The two teams will meet at 1.30pm (RSA Time) on Saturday at the Stade Jean-Dauger.

For their trip North to the Basque Country region of southwest France, the herd also sees a return to action for Reinhardt Ludwig and Stedman Gans whilst there are also role changes for the front row and the impact squad.

Director of Rugby Jake White is under no illusion for the battle in France and says his hosts on the weekend will be difficult to beat but he believes the team he has assembled has the goods needed for the job.

“Bayonnais are a very good French team and their league is probably not spoken about enough in terms of how good it is, as well as how the teams are doing in it. They have been really good this season and I think they are yet to lose at home, so from our point of view that team will finish strong which is important because against other big teams, you will have to play well for 80 minutes.

“They (Bayonnais) are not No 4 – on the log – for nothing. They have a good defence; their set piece is strong. It is a common understanding from local coaches that they have the best centre combination in the League, and that is a rating from the French public.

“They are a really good team all around, not just one area where they are strong. So, it will be a tough game which presents a great opportunity for us, away from home. A wonderful experience for our young players who will be here for the first time. Hopefully, we will play well to the occasion.”

At the front, White has assembled a front row that features Simphiwe Matanzima, who gets his first start in the campaign alongside hooker, Akker van der Merwe with Wilco Louw at prop. Ludwig comes in and partners up with JF van Heerden at lock. Marco van Staden shifts from the impact squad to the starting XV and will be alongside Jannes Kirsten at loose forward, with skipper Marcell Coetzee at No 8.

An unchanged backline from the round 14 VURC clash against Zebre is once again trusted to do service this weekend in France.

The standby squad sees Springboks Jan-hendrik Wessels, Ruan Nortje, Hanekom, Embrose Papier and Goosen alongside Alulutho Tshakweni, Mornay Smith and Stedman Gans in a five-three split impact squad.

Vodacom Bulls starting XV: 15 Devon Williams, 14 Sergeal Petersen, 13 David Kriel, 12 Harold Vorster, 11 Stravino Jacobs; 10 Keagan Johannes, 9 Zak Burger; 8 Marcell Coetzee (capt), 7 Jannes Kirsten, 6 Marco van Staden; 5 JF van Heerden, 4 Reinhardt Ludwig; 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Akker van der Merwe, 1 Simphiwe Matanzima. Replacements: 16 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 17 Alulutho Tshakweni, 18 Mornay Smith, 19 Ruan Nortje, 20 Cameron Hanekom, 21 Embrose Papier, 22 Johan Goosen, 23 Stedman Gans.