No reason why Zebre can’t beat Bulls in Loftus URC clash, says Jake White

The Bulls may have a new-look team in many respects, but there’s very little chance of underestimating Zebre in Saturday’s United Rugby Championship clash at Loftus Versfeld (2.45pm start).

There are two new players in the back-three in Devon Williams and Sergeal Petersen, Zak Burger starts at scrumhalf, and a fresh No 8 in Mpilo Gumede.

The front row has a few new faces as well in the shape of Jan-Hendrik Wessels at hooker and Mornay Smith at tighthead prop.

First-choice captain Ruan Nortjé is also back from his knee injury and will play off the bench.

The big missing piece of the Bulls puzzle, though, is star No 8 Cameron Hanekom. Bulls coach Jake White said on Friday that the one-cap Springbok was going to feature against Zebre, but felt that back problem after training that he picked up in last week’s 21-20 win over Leinster.

“There was (a plan to play him), and then he just said he’s feeling a bit tight, and he’s back is a bit sore,” White said.

“Then I just said we are not going to take a risk. Initially, I was looking at getting him in, but I can’t afford a risk – so I just pulled him out last minute.”

Other regular starters who are injured include Willie le Roux, Canan Moodie, Johan Goosen, Elrigh Louw and Gerhard Steenekamp – not to mention Kurt-Lee Arendse in Japan.

Add to the fact that Zebre just lost 35-34 to the Sharks in Durban last weekend, and there is no way that the Bulls will expect an easy afternoon.

“Zebre beat Munster, Ulster and nearly beat the Sharks last week. So, we were always going to make sure that we put a team on the field that can get a result,” White said.

“Obviously when you beat Leinster like we did last week, there’s a different vibe at training and at the club.

“But one of the things we are doing this year is use the whole squad and rotate the squad.

“Wilco’s on the bench, Ruan Nortje’s back, Mpilo gets a start. We’ve got to be confident enough that if we change a guy and Mpilo comes in, that we are still going to be competitive enough to get a result.

“There are a couple of changes, but in the next month – if everything goes according to the way it could go – we are playing Bayonne away, either the Lions or Edinburgh, then Munster and Glasgow, and then either Montpellier, Pau or Bath in five consecutive weekends.

“So, including Zebre makes it six. That’s why you see this team. It’s not just about this weekend, but the next six weeks.”

Fullback Geronimo Prisciantelli is the one to watch in the Zebre side as he was elusive on attack against the Sharks last week, contributing two tries as well.

So, as much as the Bulls will want their forwards to grind the opposition pack in the scrums and mauls, their defence needs to be tight too.

“Zebre have tasted victory, and are hard to beat. They are not scared to take risks, and run the ball from their own half. They nearly beat the Sharks as well,” White said.

“I want us to win and keep control of our destiny. The more we win, the more chance we have of hosting a playoff and a financial boost, and playing in front of our supporters.

“We have three home games and two away in the URC, and we want our supporters to still have the belief that we can play a quarter-final and semi-final in Pretoria.

“That result against the Sharks takes away any bit of confidence you think would’ve crept in.

“I’ve mentioned to them that they beat Munster and Ulster. So, if you look at what they’ve done, there’s no reason why they can’t beat us.”

Bulls Team

15 Devon Williams 14 Sergeal Petersen 13 David Kriel 12 Harold Vorster 11 Stravino Jacobs 10 Keagan Johannes 9 Zak Burger 8 Mpilo Gumede 7 Jannes Kirsten 6 Marcell Coetzee (captain) 5 JF van Heerden 4 Ruan Vermaak 3 Mornay Smith 2 Jan-Hendrik Wessels 1 Alulutho Tshakweni.

Bench: 16 Akker van der Merwe 17 Simphiwe Matanzima 18 Wilco Louw 19 Ruan Nortjé 20 Marco van Staden 21 Nizaam Carr 22 Embrose Papier 23 Boeta Chamberlain.