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Writer's pictureBulls Rugby

Nortje back for the Bulls as they eye Challenge Cup spot

Ruan Nortje.

Vodacom Bulls captain Ruan Nortje returns from injury to lead the side into round four of the 2024/25 Investec Champions Cup. The Springbok lock makes his return after a two-month-long absence and at a time when his team wants to give the European campaign a fight for the ages.

The Tshwane outfit will take on Stade Français Paris with their hopes set on qualifying for the EPCR Challenge Cup. The match kicks off at 3pm at Loftus Versfeld Stadium and tickets are available from Ticketpro for as little as R 50.

“There is a lot to play for,” says Vodacom Bulls director of rugby Jake White.

“Can we hold them and win by 22 points? Can we keep them to scoring less than four tries and stay 22 points ahead? There are a lot of learnings that we can get out of this game. There is never a dead rubber when the Bulls are playing and that says a lot about us as a franchise. We need 22 points and that is our goal.”

White added: “The EPCR Challenge Cup is all or nothing for us. We want to win and that opportunity for us is now on the Challenge Cup.

“It’s not a dead rubber for anyone, it will be an interesting one for the supporters too because the numbers will change with each point scored.”

On their French counterparts he remarked: “They are going to do everything in their power to get that single point that they need.

“Every time they get three, it becomes tougher for us and that is going to be a test for us as a group and it will be interesting to see how we handle that decision-making process.”

White has assembled a front row of Springboks in Gerhard Steenekamp, Johann Grobbelaar and Wilco Louw. Behind the trio is lock combination Ruan Vermaak alongside his captain, Nortje. Marcell Coetzee, Elrigh Louw and Cameron Hanekom complete the pack at loose forward.

Embrose Papier and Johan Goosen combine once more at halfback, with Harold Vorster and Stedman Gans partnering up at centre. Pacemen Sergeal Petersen and Sebastian de Klerk start on the wings, with Devon Williams at fullback.

White has opted for a five-three split impact squad featuring Akker van der Merwe, Alulutho Tshakweni, Francois Klopper, Reinhardt Ludwig, Nizaam Carr, Zak Burger, Boeta Chamberlain and Canan Moodie.


Vodacom Bulls starting XV: 15 Devon Williams, 14 Sebastian de Klerk, 13 Stedman Gans, 12 Harold Vorster, 11 Sergeal Petersen; 10 Johan Goosen, 9 Embrose Papier; 8 Cameron Hanekom, 7 Elrigh Louw, 6 Marcell Coetzee; 5 Ruan Nortje (capt), 4 Ruan Vermaak; 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Johann Grobbelaar, 1 Gerhard Steenekamp. Replacements: 16 Akker van der Merwe, 17 Alulutho Tshakweni, 18 Francois Klopper, 19 Reinhardt Ludwig, 20 Nizaam Carr, 21 Zak Burger, 22 Boeta Chamberlain, 23 Canan Moodie.

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