The Bulls have called in a trio of experienced Springboks for the Vodacom United Rugby Championship quarter-final clash against the Sharks at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.

Jake White has kept some continuity in the team, making only one change to the starting XV that was on duty in their previous match – an impressive victory over Ospreys in Wales.

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Experienced flanker Arno Botha starts in place of Cyle Brink, who suffered an injury in Swansea. Botha famously scored two tries against the Sharks in the 2020 Currie Cup final, to help the Bulls claim the trophy.

The Bulls’ bench has also been bolstered with the inclusion of Springbok loosehead prop Lizo Gqoboka and veteran flyhalf Morne Steyn.

“I am really proud of our players for what they have achieved in reaching this stage of the URC. They have put in the hard work and have shown great determination to overcome some obstacles in the early stages of the season to reach the playoffs,” said Vodacom Bulls director of rugby, Jake White.

“The  Sharks have been an outstanding side throughout the campaign. They have shown their quality with all the Springboks in their squad, their depth with the great talent at their disposal and consistency which has seen them claim some good results.

“The fact that we have lost twice to them in the round robin stages shows the quality of their side. We have done what we can in our preparations. Now we will need to play our best rugby.”

Bulls – 15 Canan Moodie, 14 David Kriel, 13 Cornal Hendricks, 12 Harold Vorster, 11 Madosh Tambwe, 10 Chris Smith, 9 Zak Burger; 8 Elrigh Louw, 7 Arno Botha, 6 Marcell Coetzee (c), 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Walt Steenkamp, 3 Mornay Smith, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 1 Gerhard Steenekamp.
Subs: 16 Jan-Hendrik Wessels  17 Lizo Gqoboka, 18 Robert Hunt, 19 Janko Swanepoel, 20 Reinhardt Ludwig; 21 Embrose Papier, 22 Morne Steyn, 23 Stedman Gans.

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Photo: Anton Geyser/Gallo Images