Key Springboks back for Bulls in Currie Cup semi-final

The Bulls welcome back several key players including a couple of influential Springboks ahead of their Currie Cup semi-final against the Sharks at Loftus.

Bulls head coach Phiwe Nomlomo has rotated his halfback combination after announcing the recall of Keagan Johannes to scrumhalf to pair up with Johan Goosen at flyhalf for the 2024 Carling Currie Cup semi-final.

There are also returns for Rocket Man – Stravino Jacobs – at left wing, Bullie – Dylan Smith – starts at front row alongside Akker van der Merwe and Wilco Louw. Meanwhile, Bernard van der Linde forms part of the six-two split impact squad that also features Joe van Zyl, Jacques van Rooyen, Francois Klopper, Sintu Manjezi, Merwe Olivier, Katlego Letebele and Celimpilo Gumede.

Springboks back in action

Elsewhere, Nizaam Carr shifts from the impact squad to captain and starts at flank alongside Marcell Coetzee. There is also a swap for Boeta Chamberlain and Stedman Gans who line up at fullback and centre respectively, having been involved in Durban off the pine.

Jannes Kirsten and Cobus Wiese amalgamate once more at lock with Cameron Hanekom retained for eighth man duties. At centre, David Kriel moves to the inside with Gans on his outside. Henry Immelman will run out again at right wing.

Bulls are hot favourites

The semi-final between the Bulls and Hollywoodbets Sharks XV at Loftus Versfeld, has all the hallmarks of another Currie Cup classic and is a repeat of the finals of the 2020 and 2021 seasons, both won by the team from Pretoria.

While the men from Pretoria have occasionally stumbled, they have considerable depth in talent and flexed their muscles to show their pedigree at the right time to grab second spot on the log which, crucially, earned them a home semi-final.

Although the KwaZulu-Natalians stuttered during the opening stages of the Currie Cup campaign, suffering three defeats in a row, they managed to regain their mojo by winning six and snatching a draw during an impressive seven-game unbeaten stretch.

VODACOM BULLS vs HOLLYWOODBETS SHARKS STARTING XV

1. Dylan Smith, 2. Akker van der Merwe, 3. Wilco Louw, 4. Jannes Kirsten, 5. Cobus Wiese, 6. Marcell Coetzee, 7. Nizaam Carr (c), 8. Cameron Hanekom, 9. Keagan Johannes, 10. Johan Goosen, 11. Stravino Jacobs, 12. David Kriel, 13. Stedman Gans, 14. Henry Immelman, 15. Boeta Chamberlain

VODACOM BULLS IMPACT SQUAD: 16. Joe van Zyl, 17. Jacques van Rooyen, 18. Francois Klopper, 19. Sintu Manjezi, 20. Merwe Olivier, 21. Bernard van der Linde, 22. Katlego Letebele, 23. Celimpilo Gumede.

Which teams will reach the final?

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