Ruan Nortje is among a host of Springboks recalled to start for the Vodacom Bulls in the URC clash against the DHL Stormers in Cape Town on Friday.
Having rested most of his first-choice players in the Champions Cup, Jake White has gone back to full strength as the Bulls look to break a three-match losing streak against the Stormers.
MORE: ‘Two good men’ front north-south derby
Along with Nortje, outside backs Kurt-Lee Arendse, Canan Moodie and Cornal Hendricks, halfbacks Embrose Papier and Johan Goosen as well as loose forwards Marco van Staden and Elrigh Louw are all back in action.
Cyle Brink has returned from injury to complete a powerful back row, while Gerhard Steenekamp, Johan Grobbelaar and Mornay Smith form the front row.
Lionel Mapoe and Harold Vorster combine in an experienced midfield partnership.
On the bench, Bismarck du Plessis comes in for Jan-Hendrik Wessels with Sebastian Lombard replacing Francois Klopper and Stravino Jacobs completing the impact squad at 23.
Nortje says the inaugural URC final loss is all in the past and the Bulls look forward to a mouth-watering clash as they carve out new memories.
“It was a special game to be a part of, where there had to be a loser and a winner and unfortunately for us that day we came just short. It was obviously tough to lose in the final but we have put the past behind us and have had an exciting week as we build up to the match because the north-versus-south derby is always massive, for all of us.”
ALSO: Will Jake’s high stakes gamble pay off against Stormers?
The Bulls skipper also gave credit to the director of rugby, Jake White, for how he has managed player welfare in Pretoria.
“Jake is brilliant, we all understand the big idea behind player management and creating depth across the various facets of our game, so the break was welcomed – especially for me – now we return feeling fresh having gotten some rest after what has been a hectic couple of months on the field.”
Bulls – 15 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 14 Cornal Hendricks, 13 Lionel Mapoe, 12 Harold Vorster, 11 Canan Moodie, 10 Johan Goosen, 9 Embrose Papier, 8 Elrigh Louw, 7 Cyle Brink, 6 Marco van Staden, 5 Ruan Nortje (c), 4 Ruan Vermaak, 3 Mornay Smith, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 1 Gerhard Steenekamp.
Subs: 16. Bismarck Du Plessis, 17. Simphiwe Matanzima, 18. Sebastian Lombard, 19. Janko Swanepoel, 20. Nizaam Carr, 21. Zak Burger, 22. Chris Smith, 23. Stravino Jacobs.
URC PICKS: Coastal sides to rule derby day!
Photo: Twitter/@Springboks
