Bulls Name 10 Springboks For Lions Derby As Liebenberg Takes Captaincy
Vodacom Bulls coach Johan Ackermann has made sweeping changes to his side for Saturday’s Vodacom United Rugby Championship derby against the 10bet Lions at Loftus Versfeld, with 10 Springboks included in the match-day 23 and Hanro Liebenberg named captain for the first time.
The match kicks off at 13h30, with the Vodacom Bulls looking to bounce back after a narrow 26-22 defeat to Munster at Thomond Park last week.
The new-look side boasts plenty of experience and firepower, while lock Cobus Wiese, who has been named on the bench, is in line to make his 50th appearance for the Vodacom Bulls.
The Lions arrive in Pretoria in good form after making it two wins from two with a second successive bonus-point victory, a 35-19 triumph over the Ospreys.
They have won their opening two VURC fixtures for only the second time, having previously achieved the feat during the 2024/25 season, when they won their opening four matches.
The Vodacom Bulls, meanwhile, will be looking to rediscover their winning form. Their only victory in their last four first-team matches was a 47-13 win over Zebre Parma in Round 1.
Loftus Versfeld has remained a fortress, however, with the Vodacom Bulls winning their last five VURC matches at home since their defeat to the DHL Stormers in March.
History is also on the Bulls’ side, with the Lions having won just one of their last six URC meetings with the Pretoria outfit. That victory came last season, when the Lions claimed a 43-33 win at Loftus Versfeld.
Vodacom Bulls
Starting XV: 15. Willie le Roux, 14. Canan Moodie, 13. Stedman Gans, 12. Harold Vorster, 11. Sebastian de Klerk, 10. Curwin Bosch, 9. Paul de Wet, 8. Cameron Hanekom, 7. Hanro Liebenberg (captain), 6. Jeandre Rudolph, 5. JF van Heerden, 4. Ruan Vermaak, 3. Francois Klopper, 2. Johan Grobbelaar, 1. Gerhard Steenekamp.
Replacements: 16. Marco van Staden, 17. Alu Tshakweni, 18. Khutha Mchunu, 19. Cobus Wiese, 20. Elrigh Louw, 21. Keagan Johannes, 22. Handre Pollard, 23. Cheswill Jooste.
Unavailable: Reinhardt Ludwig, Akker van der Merwe, Embrose Papier, Mornay Smith, Mpilo Gumede, Stravino Jacobs, Mawande Mdanda.
