Jake White has backed a formidable Vodacom Bulls’ 28-man travelling squad for a Vodacom United Rugby Championship clash against the Dragons in Wales on Friday.

The Bulls director of rugby had rested a host of heavy hitters in home-and-away games in the European Champions Cup debut earlier in December before fielding full-strength match-day squads in the back-to-back URC derby defeats against the Sharks and DHL Stormers.

The gamble did not pay off, at least in the short term, as the Bulls were especially outmuscled by the Sharks in Durban on Saturday, and White has challenged his troops to lift their energy levels for a tough run of fixtures away from home in all competitions.

“We have another three away games this January, this is the block that is toughest for us, playing six out of seven games on the road, so things aren’t getting any easier but we just have to make sure that we improve every week,” he said.

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“This is a massive test of character for us as a group, both coaches and players but we have to make sure that we start the new year with good energy and look to get both our campaigns [URC and the Champions Cup] on track.”

The clash will take place at the Rodney Parade Stadium in Newport, South Wales, and kick-off is scheduled for 9:45pm.

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Full Bulls tour squad:
Forwards (17): Simphiwe Matanzima, Johan Grobbelaar, Mornay Smith, Ruan Vermaak, Ruan Nortje (c), Marco van Staden, Cyle Brink, Elrigh Louw, Gerhard Steenekamp, Bismarck Du Plessis, Tiaan Lange, Sebastian Lombard, Janko Swanepoel, Reinhardt Ludwig, WJ Steenkamp, Dylan Smith, Nizaam Carr.
Backs (11): Zak Burger, Embrose Papier, Johan Goosen, Chris Smith, Bernard van der Linde, David Kriel, Harold Vorster, Cornal Hendricks, Wandisile Simelane, Canan Moodie, Kurt-Lee Arendse

Photo: Twitter/@BlueBullsRugby