Ahead of the resumption of domestic action this weekend, we look at where the Vodacom Bulls squad currently stands ahead of the domestic season.
The Bulls squad is possibly the most changed unit since the start of lockdown back in mid-March. Since then, Jake White has taken charge as both the new director of rugby and head coach, bringing in new assistant coaches in Joey Mongalo and Russell Winter.
White has also shaken up the Bulls squad, with 15 players departing the franchise and 15 players coming in. Most of those changes have taken place among the forwards as Springbok Duane Vermeulen has returned to Loftus Versfeld to lead the team, with Arno Botha also returning to Pretoria. They have been followed by another trio of Springboks in tighthead prop Marcel van der Merwe, lock Jason Jenkins and loose forward Nizaam Carr.
The Bulls will also have a host of new locks as Sintu Manjezi and Walt Steenkamp will join from the Cheetahs, while Jan Uys has arrived from French club Brive.
Among the backs, Manie Libbok and Warrick Gelant both left the Bulls to join the Sharks and Stormers, respectively, and were followed out the exit door by former captain Burger Odendaal, Dylan Sage, Nafi Tuitavake, Franco Naude, Johnny Kotze, Rosko Specman and Divan Rossouw.
However, the Bulls have managed to bring in some experience in Gio Aplon, Clinton Swart and Travis Ismaiel, while a couple of Blitzboks have signed on in Stedman Gans and Kurt-Lee Arendse.
Bulls squad (subject to change):
Props: Lizo Gqoboka, Marcel van der Merwe, Trevor Nyakane, Jacques van Rooyen, Gerhard Steenekamp, Dayan van der Westhuizen.
Hookers: Corniel Els, Johan Grobbelaar, Schalk Erasmus.
Locks: Jason Jenkins, Sintu Manjezi, Walt Steenkamp, Jan Uys, Andries Ferreira, Juandre Kruger, Ruan Nortje.
Loose forwards: Tim Agaba, Marco van Staden, Arno Botha, Elrigh Louw, Ruan Steenkamp, Duane Vermeulen, Nizaam Carr, Muller Uys.
Scrumhalves: Ivan van Zyl, Embrose Papier, Marco Jansen van Vuren.
Flyhalves: Morne Steyn, Chris Smith, David Coetzer, Vaughen Isaacs.
Centres: Clinton Swart, Stedman Gans, Marnus Potgieter, Dawid Kellerman, Jay-Cee Nel, Wian van Niekerk, Diego Appollis.
Wings: Cornal Hendricks, Travis Ismaiel, Jade Stighling, Kurt-Lee Arendse.
Fullbacks: Gio Aplon, David Kriel, Richard Kriel.
Photo: Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix
