Ten Springboks named in the Bulls line up to face the Stormers

March 13, 2026
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Ultimate Rugby

The Vodacom Bulls coaching staff have opted to bring their most experienced heavy hitters back to
set the tone early against the DHL Stormers at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.

Moving into the starting XV for the Vodacom United Rugby Championship derby are Gerhard
Steenekamp, Johan Grobbelaar, and Wilco Louw with Alulutho Tshakweni, Jan-Hendrik Wessels, and
Mornay Smith, who all started against the Sharks two weeks ago, dropping to the replacements
bench to provide second-half impact.

In the loose forwards, there is a strategic rotation at eighth man where form man Jeandre Rudolph
earns a start in the number eight jersey, moving up from the bench. Captain Marcell Coetzee and
the powerhouse Elrigh Louw remain settled in their starting roles.

The Vodacom Bulls have, however, opted for total continuity in the backline. There are no changes
to the starting back seven. The silky halfback pairing of Embrose Papier and Handre Pollard remains
intact, while the dangerous back three of Kurt-Lee Arendse, Sebastian de Klerk, and David Kriel will
once again lead the attack.

Significantly, Cobus Wiese and Marco van Staden, poised to make his 100th first class appearance
for the Vodacom Bulls, provide grunt among the forwards on the bench.

Paul de Wet and Willie le Roux are retained as the specialist backline cover to provide cool heads in
the closing stages.

VODACOM BULLS v DHL STORMERS

1. Gerhard Steenekamp
2. Johan Grobbelaar
3. Wilco Louw
4. Ruan Vermaak
5. Ruan Nortje
6. Marcell Coetzee (Captain)
7. Elrigh Louw
8. Jeandre Rudolph
9. Embrose Papier
10. Handre Pollard
11. Kurt-Lee Arendse
12. Harold Vorster
13. Canan Moodie
14. Sebastian de Klerk
15. David Kriel
16. Jan Hendrik Wessels
17. Alu Tshakweni
18. Mornay Smith
19. Cobus Wiese
20. Nizaam Carr
21. Marco van Staden
22. Paul de Wet
23. Willie le Roux