Bulls Bring Springboks for Hard Northampton Game
The Vodacom Bulls have named a powerful squad with nine Springboks for their Champions Cup clash against Northampton Saints. With pressure mounting after a heavy loss to Bordeaux and past controversy over fielding a weakened team, the Bulls are travelling with a far stronger group this time.
The Vodacom Bulls have made it clear they want to reset their Champions Cup campaign by sending one of their strongest touring squads in recent years. After last weekend’s difficult defeat to Bordeaux-Begles at Loftus, the team has loaded up on Springboks ahead of their trip to face 2024 finalists Northampton Saints.
Despite missing Handré Pollard, who is on a compulsory Springbok rest period, the Bulls still have nine Boks available. The selections show that the management is determined to avoid another situation like their last trip to Northampton, where criticism erupted over fielding a weakened side. That incident even triggered an EPCR probe, and the Bulls appear keen to avoid a repeat.
In the pack, the Bulls will travel without Wilco Louw and Ruan Nortje, but they still boast serious experience. Gerhard Steenekamp and Johan Grobbelaar headline the front row options, while Cobus Wiese covers lock. JF van Heerden and Reinhardt Ludwig offer depth, with Khutha Mchunu, Sti Sithole and Akker van der Merwe reinforcing the front-row rotation. Marcell Coetzee, Nizaam Carr and the returning Elrigh Louw strengthen the loose-forward group, with Celimpilo “Mpilo” Gumede also included.
The backline options are equally strong. New signing Kade Wolhuter and Keagan Johannes will compete for the flyhalf role, while Willie le Roux adds his experience out wide. The scrumhalf department is packed with Zak Burger, Embrose Papier and Paul de Wet. Stedman Gans, Harold Vorster, David Kriel and rising under-20 talent PA van Niekerk cover the midfield.
On the wings and back three, Sergeal Petersen, Devon Williams, Stravino Jacobs and Sebastian de Klerk give the Bulls plenty of pace, although Kurt-Lee Arendse remains unavailable due to concussion.
The Bulls enter this match under some pressure after their defensive struggles were exposed by Bordeaux, who ran in seven tries. They have conceded 34 tries in just seven games, and fixing their defence will be a major focus. Northampton themselves come into the game confident after surviving a tricky match in France, and will be aiming to improve their playoff position.
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