Jake White will split the Vodacom Bulls squad, with one half flying to Exeter for Saturday’s Champions Cup clash, while the other half stays in South Africa to prepare for the Vodacom United Rugby Championship derby against the DHL Stormers.

White surprisingly fielded a heavily-changed side for the Champions Cup debut against Lyon in Pretoria, where the Vodacom Bulls fought to a 42-36 victory.

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Many of those players are reportedly set to retain their places for this weekend’s clash against 2020 Champions Cup winners Exeter, as White looks to manage his squad through a busy portion of the season.

A collective agreement with the players’ union, MyPlayers, means that players are only allowed to play 32 games a year. This presents a challenge with the Springboks who were involved in most of the 13 Tests in 2022.

“We are fortunate that we don’t have too many players who played a lot of Tests,” the White told rugby365com. “There is no way the same group of players can play in the Currie Cup, URC and Champions Cup.

“You could get to the back end of a competition where [suddenly] you can’t play them.

“I have worked a plan out,” White added. “The plan is clear and the players have bought into it.

“Barring injuries, I am going to try and get two teams that are competitive and can win.”

The Vodacom Bulls will be without lock Jacques du Plessis (fractured hand) and utility back Marco Jansen van Vuren (kneecap) this weekend.

The players who remain in Pretoria will prepare for the URC clash against defending champions Stormers on 23 December in Cape Town – a repeat of last season’s grand final.

Photo: Lee Warren:Gallo Images