LETHAL ATTACK V WELSH GRIT AS VODACOM BULLS RETAIN CORE FOR DRAGONS

The Vodacom Bulls have chosen a largely familiar look for their VURC
encounter against the Dragons on Friday (8.45pm SAST), building from the team
that took on Glasgow while making a handful of considered adjustments that speak
to rotation and balance rather than any shift in identity.
The core of the side remains intact, with continuity in the front row and loose trio
providing a stable platform up front. Gerhard Steenekamp, Johan Grobbelaar and
Francois Klopper again anchor the scrum, while captain Marcell Coetzee, Elrigh
Louw and Cameron Hanekom continue as a well-established back-row combination,
ensuring leadership, breakdown intensity and ball-carrying presence remain
constants.
Behind the scrum, the visitors clearly value cohesion, retaining the highly
experienced halfback pairing of Embrose Papier and Handré Pollard, a combination
that offers control, tactical clarity and calm game management.
The most significant change among the forwards is in the second row, where Cobus
Wiese steps into the starting line-up alongside Ruan Nortje, with Ruan Vermaak
moving to the bench after starting against Glasgow.

Wiese’s inclusion from the outset suggests an emphasis on early physical
confrontation and direct gain-line impact, while Vermaak’s shift does not diminish
his importance. In fact, the timing adds extra resonance, as Vermaak stands on the
brink of his 50th VURC appearance for the Vodacom Bulls, a milestone that
underlines his longevity, consistency and contribution across multiple seasons. By
keeping him in the match day 23, the Bulls retain his experience and physicality to
influence the latter stages, where tight contests are often decided.
The backline alterations are more structural than wholesale, with the Vodacom
Bulls subtly rebalancing their attacking and defensive shape.
Canan Moodie moves from outside centre to the wing, where his size and power can
be used to pressure the Dragons on the edges, while Stedman Gans comes into the
starting XV at outside centre, offering defensive organisation and a more orthodox
midfield presence alongside Harold Vorster.
David Kriel shifts from fullback to the wing, reinforcing aerial security and defensive
reliability, and Devon Williams is given the opportunity at fullback, bringing
attacking intent and counter-running ability from the backfield. Collectively, these
changes suggest a backline designed to be adaptable: solid through the middle, yet
capable of exploiting width when opportunities arise.
The bench continues the theme of intelligent rotation rather than experimentation.
Paul de Wet replaces Zak Burger as scrumhalf cover, potentially lifting tempo later
in the match, while Willie le Roux remains the ultimate utility option, capable of
reshaping the backline dynamic as the game evolves.
Sergeal Petersen and Mpilo Gumede add finishing speed and forward impact
respectively, complementing a replacement pack that still features Vermaak’s
impending milestone.
Overall, the Vodacom Bulls’ selection for the Dragons reflects a side comfortable in
its systems, confident in its depth and mindful of both immediate performance and
longer-term squad management, with just enough change to stay fresh while
preserving the cohesion built against Glasgow.

The Vodacom Bulls will arrive in Newport as one of the Vodacom United Rugby
Championship’s most lethal attacking forces. Currently tied with Glasgow for the
most tries in the competition (58), the Pretoria outfit has won five of their last six
VURC outings.
A key catalyst has been scrumhalf Papier, who enters the match on fire with six tries
in his last four appearances. Milestone celebrations also loom: hooker Johan
Grobbelaar recently notched his 50th career try, while Vermaak could earn his 50th
VURC cap.
Conversely, the Dragons are chasing history. While they carry momentum from two
European Challenge Cup wins, they haven’t won three consecutive matches in all
competitions since 2015. Their VURC form remains a concern, with their last league
victory dating back to New Year’s Day. To upset the Vodacom Bulls, a team they
have never beaten in four attempts, the Welshmen will rely on the boot of Angus
O’Brien, whose 67 points rank him fifth in the league.
With the Vodacom Bulls fighting for top-eight positioning and the Dragons
desperate to break a five-match VURC winless streak, expect a physical encounter
where discipline and clinical finishing will dictate the result.
VODACOM BULLS vs DRAGONS 
1. Gerhard Steenekamp
2. Johan Grobbelaar
3. Francois Klopper
4. Cobus Wiese
5. Ruan Nortje
6. Marcelle Coetzee (Capt)
7. Elrigh Louw
8. Cameron Hanekom
9. Embrose Papier
10. Handre Pollard
11. Canan Moodie
12. Harold Vorster
13. Stedman Gans
14. David Kriel
15. Devon Williams

16. Marco van Staden
17. Jan Hendrik Wessels
18. Mornay Smith
19. Ruan Vermaak
20. Mpilo Gumede
21. Paul de Wet
22. Willie le Roux
23. Sergeal Petersen
UNAVAILABLE: Kurt-Lee Arendse, Cheswill Jooste, Wilco Louw.