Four Springboks named in Bulls XV to take on All Blacks

Johan Ackermann has named four South Africa internationals in his starting Bulls XV to take on the All Blacks at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.

The Bulls boss promised “we’re going to go as strong as we can” this week despite missing a large swathe of players in Rassie Erasmus’s squad, and he has remained true to his word, naming several regular Bulls players alongside the Springboks.

Former Bok Marcell Coetzee will captain the side, and will be joined by 101-cap Springbok Willie le Roux, and Embrose Papier, who earned his first Bok cap in eight years when he started against Scotland in July. Papier will form a half-back partnership with fellow Bok Curwin Bosch, who will mark his return to South Africa after two years in France with Brive.

Bosch is not the only new signing who will feature in this match. Flanker Hanro Liebenberg will mark his return after a hugely successful seven years with Leicester Tigers, while new recruit from Munster, Thaakir Abrahams, will start on the wing.

Ackermann revealed this week that injuries have prevented South Africa hooker Akker van der Merwe and winger Sebastian de Klerk from playing, but this is nevertheless a strong side.

The meeting will be the third match of the All Blacks’ Greatest Rivalry tour, following wins over the Stormers and the Sharks, and promises to be their stiffest challenge yet.

Fixture

Rugby Union Hybrid Friendlies

Bulls

10:00

15 Aug 26

New Zealand

All Stats and Data

Vodacom Bulls XV: 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Thaakir Abrahams, 13 Stedman Gans, 12 Harold Vortster, 11 Stravino Jacobs, 10 Curwin Bosch, 9 Embrose Papier; 8 Jeandre Rudolph, 7 Hanro Liebenberg, 6 Marcell Coetzee (captain), 5 JF van Heerden, 4 Ruan Vermaak, 3 Francois Klopper, 2 Juann Else, 1 Alu Tshakweni.

Replacements: 16 Jaundre Schoeman, 17 Sti Sithole, 18 Khuta Mchunu, 19 Reinhardt Ludwig, 20 Mpilo Gumede, 21 Paul de Wet, 22 Katlego Letebele, 23 Hakeem Kunene.