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Bulls vs Ulster: Marcell Coetzee back as captain with eight changes to pack

Johan Ackermann picks an all-new front row for Saturday 24 October at Loftus Versfeld but keeps the backline that beat Stade Français 56-20.

By RuckBee Newsroom1 min read
Bearded Bulls players in navy jerseys stand together at Loftus Versfeld, the central one in a headband pulling on an armband.
AI illustration

Marcell Coetzee takes back the captaincy and the No 6 jersey as the Bulls rebuild their pack for the URC visit of Ulster to Loftus Versfeld on Saturday 24 October.

Coach Johan Ackermann has made eight changes to the starting forwards, while the backs stay as they were. The rotation comes as the Bulls balance Champions Cup and URC commitments in a busy early-season schedule.

A new front row and a reshaped back row

The whole front row is new. Gerhard Steenekamp starts at loosehead, Johan Grobbelaar at hooker and Francois Klopper at tighthead, replacing Alu Tshakweni, Jan-Hendrik Wessels and Khutha Mchunu.

Coetzee's return reshuffles the loose trio. Elrigh Louw moves to No 8 to make room for the captain, and Hanro Liebenberg starts at No 7. That leaves Marco van Staden and Cameron Hanekom, who both started last week, on the bench.

Backline kept together

Behind the scrum the starting XV from last week's 56-20 win over Stade Français is unchanged. Handré Pollard and Paul de Wet are the halfbacks, Harold Vorster and Sango Xamlashe pair up in the centres, Cheswill Jooste and Sebastian de Klerk are on the wings and Luan Giliomee plays fullback.

The bench does change. Zak Burger, Curwin Bosch and new signing Dylan Maart come into the replacements, and Embrose Papier, Stravino Jacobs and Willie le Roux drop out of the matchday squad.

The full weekend schedule is on our rugby fixtures page.

Sources

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