The Vodacom Bulls are set to face a daunting challenge in their upcoming Investec Champions Cup quarterfinal against Northampton Saints on Saturday. According to SuperSport, the South African side will be without up to 14 of their regular players due to injuries and niggles, making their task even more formidable.
Key Players Missing for Bulls
Among the notable absentees are co-captain Ruan Nortje, who is suffering from a hamstring injury, and Marco van Staden, who is still out with a knee injury. World Cup-winning Springboks Kurt-Lee Arendse and Canan Moodie were also withdrawn on Monday due to injuries.
Other key players missing from the travelling squad include Willie le Roux, David Kriel, Embrose Papier, Marcell Coetzee, Johan Grobbelaar, Ruan Vermaak, Johan Goosen, Elrigh Louw, Gerhard Steenekamp, and Wilco Louw.
Bulls Insiders Point to Long Injury List
Bulls insiders have attributed the absence of these players to a lengthy injury list, stating that they have chosen the best available team for the trip.
However, the absence of these key players is disappointing, given their impressive form in the 59-19 win over Lyon in the Round of 16.
Domestic Challenges Await Bulls Upon Return
To add to their challenges, the Bulls face a crucial Vodacom United Rugby Championship game against defending champions Munster at Loftus Versfeld upon their return to Pretoria on Monday.
The outcome of this match could significantly impact their chances of hosting a home playoff game in the tournament.
Travel Disadvantage and Competition Rules
The Bulls also face a travel disadvantage, and even if they win, they would not be able to host a home semifinal due to the competition’s rules, which stipulate that all semifinals and finals must be played in Europe.
This may have influenced head coach Jake White’s decision to leave some key players behind.
Bulls Confident in Squad Depth
Despite the absence of several regular players, the Bulls remain confident in the depth of their squad. A similar side that will take the field against the Saints lost by just one point to Lyon in a previous pool game, indicating that they have the ability to compete at this level.
The travelling squad includes experienced players such as former Scottish international Jaco van der Walt, former Edinburgh utility back Henry Immelmann, and former Springboks Lionel Mapoe and Cornal Hendricks.
Possible Starting Lineup and Bench Concerns
The loose trio is likely to consist of Nizaam Carr, Cameron Hanekom, and Mpilo Gumede, while JF van Heerden is expected to start at lock after his impressive display against Lyon. Mornay Smith, Simphiwe Matanzima, and Akker van der Merwe are likely to form the front row.
Chris Smith and Zak Burger are expected to be the halfback combination, with Mapoe and Hendricks potentially forming the midfield partnership. However, the Bulls may struggle in the second half, especially due to the lack of experience on the bench.
White Challenges Team to Perform
Despite the challenges, head coach Jake White has challenged his team to give a performance worthy of the Bulls jersey.
“I try and challenge them on performance,” White said. “I said after the game that the reaction that we got, after we played Leinster, that we got against Lyon, is exactly what we want to see. The team, if they have a bit of a bad outing that it doesn’t rub off on the next fixture.”
The Bulls will name their squad for the clash on Friday, and regardless of the team that takes the field, they will be determined to put in a strong performance against the Saints.
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