'It's not about revenge' - Bulls name team for URC Final

DoR Jake White has named an unchanged Bulls side for United Rugby Championship Grand Final against the Stormers.

White has stuck with the same team that shocked Leinster last weekend in their boilover semi-final win in the RDS.

The Bulls, who started the year in 15th place on the log table, have made steady but inexorable progress over the previous four months. The Stormers, on the other hand, qualified for the final with a win against Ulster, in the second semi-final at home in Cape Town.

Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber unpacks his plan to blood young talent, while keeping the national team competitive

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Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber unpacks his plan to blood young talent, while keeping the national team competitive

“It’s been an incredible season in our first one participating in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship. We have measured ourselves against some of the best sides and players in the world,” said Vodacom Bulls director of rugby, Jake White, ahead of the game.

“So, to be able to play in the final is an incredible feat. I am very proud of the Vodacom Bulls players, coaches and staff for the hard work and role they played in getting this far.

“We are up against a deserving and strong DHL Stormers side that has shown throughout the season how competitive and hungry for success they are. We expect another tough challenge against a team we have not managed to beat this season.”

Bull skipper Marcell Coetzee said: “It’s not so much about revenge (for the two earlier defeats), but a final will be personal on both fronts and it’s always 50/50 on the day. We will approach the final with the humility and respect it deserves.

“Our job is not done yet, there’s still a lot for us to fix. Our plan worked to perfection but then we let Leinster back in the game at the end. But the Stormers were able to keep their composure towards the end of a tight contest.”

The match will kick-off at 18.30 UK time/19.30 SA time.

BULLS TEAM: Canan Moodie (Pretoria), David Kriel (Tuine), Cornal Hendricks (Northam Rhinos), Harold Vorster (Northam Rhinos), Madosh Tambwe (Pretoria), Chris Smith (Harlequin), Zak Burger (Tuine); Elrigh Louw (UP Tuks), Arno Botha (ABE Midas Naka Bulle), Marcell Coetzee (ABE Midas Naka Bulle, CAPT), Ruan Nortje (ABE Midas Naka Bulle), Walt Steenkamp (Tuine), Mornay Smith (Betway Centurion), Johan Grobbelaar (UP Tuks), Gerhard Steenekamp (ABE Midas Naka Bulle).

REPLACEMENTS: Bismarck du Plessis (Betway Centurion), Simphiwe Matanzima (ABE Midas Naka Bulle), Robert Hunt (Harlequin), Janko Swanepoel (Pretoria), WJ Steenkamp (Tuine); Embrose Papier (UP Tuks), Morne Steyn (Tuine), Kurt-Lee Arendse (Betway Centurion).