Overview
- On Monday the Vodacom Bulls announced a 35-man squad for Friday’s pre-season derby in Paarl that includes the return of Sebastian de Klerk and four Springboks.
- Coach Johan Ackermann has framed the fixture as an operational test rather than a result-driven game, with the top priority being to get through 80 minutes without injuries.
- The match will be used to give forwards high-tempo contact conditioning and to stress-test lineouts, attack shapes and half-time combinations before competitive play.
- Fringe and emerging players have been handed opportunities to force selection, as the squad rebuilds after departures such as Ruan Nortjé, Kurt-Lee Arendse and David Kriel.
- The Paarl friendly is a final check ahead of the United Rugby Championship openers, with the Stormers due in Galway on 25 September and the Bulls scheduled to face Zebre in Parma on 26 September.