Six Springboks headline Johan Ackermann’s first Bulls URC side

Johan Ackermann has still managed to load his maiden Bulls matchday 23 with six Springboks for their United Rugby Championship opener against the Ospreys in Pretoria – despite being hit hard by injuries.

The new head coach, appointed two months ago following the departure of Jake White, begins his tenure with a side that blends Test experience and emerging talent.

Gerhard Steenekamp makes a return from injury, Junior Springboks JJ Theron and Cheswill Jooste feature, and captain Marcell Coetzee leads from the back row.

The long-injured Johan Goosen misses out, opening the door for Keagan Johannes to wear the No.10 jersey, while Jan Serfontein makes a high-profile return to the Bulls midfield after an eight-year absence, partnering David Kriel.

Test centurion Willie le Roux has been named on the bench, after training with the Springboks this week after a request from Springboks head coach Rassie Erasmus.

“Willie is a member of our wider squad, and we feel it will benefit us to have him train with us early in the week,” said Erasmus earlier in the week. “We try to train the way we play, and by having him in camp it will allow us to improve the quality of our training sessions ahead of this vital match.

“I’d like to thank Johan Ackermann and the Vodacom Bulls for releasing him to train with us, and we wish them and the other South African teams the best of luck for the opening round of the Vodacom URC.”

Bulls team vs Ospreys:
1. Gerhard Steenekamp
2. Johan Grobbelaar
3. Mornay Smith
4. Cobus Wiese
5. JF van Heerden
6. Marcell Coetzee (capt.)
7. Mpilo Gumede
8. JJ Theron
9. Embrose Papier
10. Keagan Johannes
11. Sebastian de Klerk
12. Jan Serfontein
13. David Kriel
14. Cheswill Jooste
15. Devon Williams

Replacements: Juann Else, Alu Tshakweni, Francois Klopper, Nicolas Janse van Rensburg, Nama Xaba, Paul de Wet, Stedman Gans, Willie le Roux.