Jake White's hand forced as Bulls make one change for URC final

The Bulls have confirmed just one change to their matchday 23 for Saturday’s United Rugby Championship Grand Final against Leinster at Croke Park, with Jake White forced into a late adjustment due to injury.

White has drafted Bok Marco van Staden into the starting XV following the semi-final injury to standout back-rower Cameron Hanekom. The reshuffle sees van Staden slot into the loose trio alongside captain Ruan Nortje, with veteran Marcell Coetzee moving to No.8.

Nizaam Carr is the only other alteration, joining the replacements in a five-three bench split on the bench. The remainder of the squad remains unchanged as the Bulls prepare for a titanic decider in Dublin in front of a crowd in excess of 40,000.

Up front, the tight five stays intact with Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Johan Grobbelaar and Wilco Louw forming the front row, and Cobus Wiese and JF van Heerden in the second row.

The backline, which has impressed throughout the knockout stages, also remains untouched.

Bok legend Willie le Roux continues at fullback with Canan Moodie and Sebastian de Klerk on the wings. Harold Vorster and David Kriel line up in the midfield, with Embrose Papier and Johan Goosen again pulling the strings at halfback.

Carr joins a bench of Akker van der Merwe, Alulutho Tshakweni, Mornay Smith, Jannes Kirsten, Zak Burger, Keagan Johannes and Devon Williams as the Bulls look to claim their first URC title on foreign soil.

BULLS: 1. Jan-hendrik Wessels, 2. Johan Grobbelaar, 3. Wilco Louw, 4. Cobus Wiese, 5. JF van Heerden, 6. Marco van Staden, 7. Ruan Nortje (c), 8. Marcell Coetzee, 9. Embrose Papier, 10. Johan Goosen, 11. Sebastian de Klerk, 12. Harold Vorster, 13. David Kriel, 14. Canon Moodie, 15. Willie le Roux

REPLACEMENTS: 16. Akker van der Merwe, 17. Alulutho Tshakweni, 18. Mornay Smith, 19. Jannes Kirsten, 20. Nizaam Carr, 21. Zak Burger, 22. Keagan Johannes, 23. Devon Williams