VODACOM BULLS’ ACKERMANN MIXES AND MATCHES FOR FIRST VURC TEST 

Despite the Vodacom Bulls being ravaged by injuries, coach Johan Ackermann has still been able to 

name six Springboks in his run-on 15 for this weekend’s Vodacom United Rugby Championship 

opening match against the Ospreys in Pretoria. 

This will be the first test of Ackermann’s coaching regime since being installed in the position two 

months ago, an opportunity he is relishing. 

Among the most significant selections are returning Springbok Gerhard Steenekamp, back from 

injury, Junior Springboks JJ Theron and Cheswill Jooste, and captain Marcell Coetzee. 

The team has a robust mix of experience and new blood, all of whom have had strong pre-season 

training. 

Meanwhile, injury to Johan Goosen has given Keagan Johannes an opportunity to stake a claim for 

the No 10 jersey, plus Jan Serfontein will be back in blue for the first time in eight years, slotting in 

alongside David Kriel in midfield. 

Significantly, Test centurion Willie le Roux has been named on the bench and may get a crack late in 

the match. 

VODACOM BULLS vs OSPREYS 

1. Gerhard Steenekamp 

2. Johan Grobbelaar 

3. Mornay Smith 

4. Cobus Wiese 

5. JF van Heerden 

6. Marcell Coetzee (Capt.) 

7. Mpilo Gumede 

8. JJ Theron 

9. Embrose Papier 

10. Keagan Johannes 

11. Sebastian de Klerk 

12. Jan Serfontein 

13. David Kriel 

14. Cheswill Jooste 

15. Devon Williams 

16. Juann Else 

17. Alu Tshakweni 

18. Francois Klopper 

19. Nicolas Janse van Rensburg 

20. Nama Xaba 

21. Paul de Wet 

22. Stedman Gans 

23. Willie le Roux