Ackermann brings out heavy artillery for North-South derby

The Bulls have named a Springbok-laden matchday 23 for Saturday’s north-south derby against the Stormers at Loftus Versfeld.

Head coach, Johan Ackermann, has recalled experienced forwards to the starting pack as his side looks to gain the upper hand in one of South African rugby’s fiercest rivalries.

Experienced front-rowers Gerhard Steenekamp, Johan Grobbelaar and Wilco Louw all return to the starting line-up.

There is one change to the loose trio, with Jeandré Rudolph promoted from the bench to start at eigthman alongside captain Marcell Coetzee and Elrigh Louw, who both retain their places.

The settled halfback pairing of Embrose Papier and Handré Pollard continues at scrumhalf and flyhalf, while the attacking back three of Kurt-Lee Arendse, Sebastian de Klerk and David Kriel will spearhead the Bulls’ offensive threat.

Bulls team:
15 David Kriel, 14 Sebastian de Klerk, 13 Canan Moodie, 12 Harold Vorster, 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 10 Handré Pollard, 9 Embrose Papier, 8 Jeandre Rudolph, 7 Elrigh Louw, 6 Marcell Coetzee (c), 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Ruan Vermaak, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 1 Gerhard Steenekamp.

Replacements:
16 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 17 Alulutho Tshakweni, 18 Mornay Smith, 19 Cobus Wiese, 20 Nizaam Carr, 21 Marco van Staden, 22 Paul de Wet, 23 Willie le Roux.

YOUR team to face the DHL Stormers tomorrow at Loftus 🐂

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14 MARCH | 14:00 @Vodacom #URC | @URCOfficial_RSA #FillUpLoftus pic.twitter.com/VkqZX8gCci

— Official Blue Bulls (@BlueBullsRugby) March 13, 2026

Written by: Ntsako Mukhari