Nortje, Coetzee boost for Bulls ahead of clash with Warriors in Glasgow

The Bulls have made eight changes to their line-up for Friday’s United Rugby Championship fixture against Glasgow in Scotland.

This follows last week’s one-point win against Connacht. Coach Johan Ackerman said after the match that a fortnight of matches on 4G pitches — the Bulls played Ulster the week before, also on 4G — had taken its toll on bodies, with plenty of grazes and bruises. Hence, the freshening up of the team.

Among the most significant changes are the inclusion of seasoned players like Marcell Coetzee and Ruan Nortje, which adds muscle and leadership, with the latter appointed captain.

There has been a front row overhaul with Gerhard Steenekamp, Johan Grobbelaar, and Mornay Smith stepping in.

Other changes see the impressive Reinhardt Ludwig shifting from five to seven, with JJ Theron and Nama Xaba dropping to the bench.

The backline shows just two changes, Embrose Papier coming in for Paul de Wet and Stravino Jacobs replacing Canan Moodie, who was summoned for Springbok duty.

The Bulls have lost just two of their last seven away games in the URC, but the Glasgow Warriors’ only defeat so far this campaign was a narrow loss against Benetton in round two.

The Warriors have lost just twice at home in any competition since December 2023, both in the United Rugby Championship, against the Ospreys in March and against this week’s opponents in April.

The two sides have met on five previous occasions, with the Bulls having the edge by three wins to two. The Bulls’ 26-19 win on their most recent visit to Scotstoun in April is the South Africans’ only victory in Scotland.

Bulls team for Warriors

15 Willie le Roux, 14 Sebastian de Klerk, 13 David Kriel, 12 Jan Serfontein, 11 Stravino Jacobs, 10 Keagan Johannes, 9 Embrose Papier, 8 Jeandre Rudolph, 7 Reinhardt Ludwig, 6 Marcell Coetzee, 5 Ruan Nortje (capt), 4 Cobus Wiese, 3 Mornay Smith, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 1 Gerhard Steenekamp.

Bench: 16 Juann Else, 17 Etienne Janneke, 18 Francois Klopper, 19 JJ Theron, 20 Nama Xaba, 21 Paul de Wet, 22 Stedman Gans, 23 Kurt-Lee Arendse.