Bulls boosted by fresh Pollard and Van Staden but captain Coetzee crocked

The Bulls land in Ireland on Tuesday with 13 Springboks in their ranks ahead of a three-match United Rugby Championship tour of Europe, where they will face Ulster, Connacht, and Glasgow in Scotland.

Coach Johan Ackermann has included a host of Springbok stars fresh from their Rugby Championship heroics, though not all of them will feature in every game.

The 2023 World Cup hero, Handré Pollard, has not played for the Springboks in their last three games, so he will be fresh and eager to make his second debut for the Bulls, the union that kick-started his career.

Unfortunately, a failed HIA has scuppered Marcell Coetzee’s tour. The rugged flank will remain at home for now, undergoing regular assessments by medical staff. Coetzee had been exceptional in leading the Bulls to two opening wins, but he will now be replaced as captain by hooker Johann Grobbelaar.

Grobbelaar has been playing like a man possessed for the Bulls, reminding the Springbok staff that he is fit, capable, and in good form.

Meanwhile, Kurt-Lee Arendse remains in rehab nursing a hamstring injury, though he could be considered for selection later in the tour.

As per Springbok player welfare protocols, tighthead Wilco Louw will be replaced after week two by Khuta Mchunu. Bok line-out specialist Ruan Nortje will also stay at home to rest, but will be available if an SOS arises.

The Bulls have been further bolstered by the return of wing Cheswill Jooste, centre Jan Serfontein, and utility-forward Cobus Wiese, all of whom missed the weekend’s match against Leinster due to niggles.

The addition of Springboks such as Pollard, Louw, and Canan Moodie will doubtless add steel to the squad. However, the challenge, as Ackermann notes, will be to integrate them seamlessly.

“We’ve got individual plans in place, but injuries have already forced one or two changes,” Ackermann said. “Hopefully, we’ll integrate them quickly. It’s probably the biggest challenge for Handré, because he’s the newest addition, while the others have played with us before.”

Veteran Springbok Willie le Roux will be invaluable as he mentors the younger Bulls in the tough conditions of Ireland and Scotland. Tough loose forward Marco van Staden is another relatively fresh Springbok who is expected to make a telling contribution.

Bulls touring squad

Alulutho Tshkweni; Canan Moodie; Cheswill Jooste; Cobus Wiese; David Kriel; Devon Williams; Embrose Papier; Francois Kloppers; Gerhard Steenekamp; Handre Pollard; Harold Vorster; Jan Hendrik Wessels; Jan Serfontein; Jean Else; Jeandre Rudolph; JJ Theron; Johann Grobbelaar (capt); Johan Goosen; Keagan Johannes; Marco van Staden; Mornay Smith; Mpilo Gumede; NJ van Rensburg; Nama Xaba; Paul de Wet; Reinhardt Ludwig; Sebastian de Klerk; Stravino Jacobs; Wilco Louw; Willie le Roux; Zak Burger.

Non-travelling reserves

Etienne Janneke; Esethu Mnebelele; Khuta Mchunu; Sintu Manjezi; Jacobus Grobbelaar; Kurt-Lee Arendse (pending fitness); Stedman Gans; Sergeal Petersen.