Nortje returns to lead Bulls in EPCR Challenge Cup quarter-finals

The Vodacom Bulls have been given a timely boost by the return to full-match fitness of club captain Ruan Nortje ahead of their EPCR Challenge Cup quarterfinal clash on Saturday. Nortje returns to lead the troops when the Tshwane outfit takes on Scottish side Edinburgh Rugby at the Hive Stadium at 1.30pm South African Time.

The Springbok lock returns to the starting XV to marshal the line-outs alongside his understudy and Junior Springbok, JF van Heerden. Other changes to the forwards pack see Marcell Coetzee shifting from No 8 to No 6, pairing up with 2019/20 Investec Champions Cup winner Jannes Kirsten. That shift sees Cameron Hanekom return to the starting line-up in his regular eighthman role.

At the front, the trio of Simphiwe Matanzima, Akker van der Merwe and Wilco Louw remains unchanged from the Round of 16.

Director of Rugby Jake White has retained the services of the same back line of Zak Burger, Keagan Johannes, Stravino Jacobs, Harold Vorster, David Kriel, Sergeal Petersen and Devon Williams, who all did duty in France.

White has also made adjustments to the impact squad, adding the Springbok duo of Johann Grobbelaar and Canan Moodie, both returning to action after a few weeks of being on the sidelines. The rest of the five-three split standby crew also features Jan-hendrik Wessels, Mornay Smith, Reinhardt Ludwig, Marco van Staden, Embrose Papier and Johan Goosen.

White says the team will borrow from last weekend’s victory as they look to further their stay in the competition.

“Last week’s result was massive. To get an away win in France is a big deal, especially because Bayonne are a strong outfit that sits fourth in their league. That winning feeling is something you cannot bottle but it has given us confidence and the vibe in the camp is upbeat. We have a nice environment and it gives us a nice feeling as a group.

“I am really happy we got that win, and we must now take that momentum into this week.”

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 Cameron Hanekom, 7 Jannes Kirsten, 6 Marcell Coetzee; 5 JF van Heerden, 4 Ruan Nortje (capt); 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Akker van der Merwe, 1 Simphiwe Matanzima. Replacements: 16 Johann Grobbelaar, 17 Jan-hendrik Wessels, 18 Mornay Smith, 19 Reinhardt Ludwig, 20 Marco van Staden, 21 Embrose Papier, 22 Johan Goosen, 23 Canan Moodie.

Match information

Edinburgh v Vodacom Bulls - Saturday @ Hive Stadium, Edinburgh (1.30pm)

Referee: Pierre Brousset

TV: SuperSport