Marcell Coetzee returns for the Bulls against Sharks

The Bulls have welcomed back Marcell Coetzee as they prepare to take on the Sharks in round 9 of the 2023 Currie Cup campaign, to be played at Loftus Versfeld Stadium.

Kick-off for this clash has been adjusted to 17:30pm to accommodate the earlier start in the United Rugby Championship quarterfinal match in Cape Town.

Marcell Coetzee returns for the Bulls

The men in blue also welcome the return of speedster Sbu Nkosi and centre Marco Jansen van Vuren. 

Nkosi will start at left wing, paired up with Kabelo Mokoena on the right. van Vuren (outside) will partner with Chris Barend Smit (inside) as the centre combination whilst Juan Mostert will start at full-back.

Zak Burger and Morne Steyn will link up as the half-back combination that will bridge the gap between the backline and the forwards.

At front row will be Jacques van Rooyen (loose-head prop), Jan-Hendrik Wessels (hooker) and Robert Hunt (tight-head prop), supported by Jacque du Plessis and Charlie Ewels who will start at lock. 

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Marcell Coetzee headlines Bulls team

Marcell Coetzee (open-side flanker), Reinhardt Ludwig (blind-side flanker) and WJ Steenkamp Steenkamp (eight-man) will complete the forwards’ pack from the back row.

Lizo Gqoboka, Joe van Zyl, Sebastian Lombard, Merwe Olivier, Mihlali Mosi, Eugene Hare, Cornal Hendricks and Franco Knoetze will all form part of the impact should their services be required on the night.

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Sharks team

Last week’s 24-6 success over Griquas at Hollywoodbets Kings Park made it consecutive victories for the Sharks and Currie Cup head coach Joey Mongalo admitted that there were conflicting emotions around a game where the performance wasn’t quite up to standard, but still produced a pleasing result.

“We hadn’t had back-to-back victories before this, so we’re very thankful for that,” Mongalo said.

“But the guys acknowledged that we didn’t play to our standards – and we set quite high standards for ourselves – I almost didn’t recognise us in the first half because it was loose and that’s not us. So it was a bit frustrating because we are more structured, but there is character being shown in this group, and even though we didn’t play well, the scoreboard was still in our favour which means we’re doing something right.”

Having conceded only two penalties and keeping their tryline intact, the Sharks showed remarkable resilience and it is this kind of defence that the coach will be looking for again.

“Griquas are quite an attacking threat, they scored six tries against us in the first round, and we made that personal. Defence is about guys fighting and feeling for each other, who want to achieve something and I must compliment them for fighting for each other and for the cause.”

Having lost narrowly to the Bulls in their first-round meeting, there will certainly be plenty of motivation for this Sharks side looking to maintain their run in the competition.

The Sharks team shows 4 changes for this week’s outing, Dan Jooste getting a start at hooker, the only player movement amongst the pack, while Tiaan Fourie comes in for Bradley Davids at scrumhalf, Murray Koster takes over from Joshua Jonas at outside centre and Marnus Potgieter’s call-up to the URC team opens the door for the return of Phikolomzi Sobahle on the wing.

Match information and teams

Bulls

15 Juan Mostert. 14 Kabelo Mokoena. 13 Marco Jansen van Vuren. 12 Chris Smit. 11 Sbu Nkosi. 10 Morne Steyn. 9 Zak Burger. 8 WJ Steenkamp. 7 Reinhardt Ludwig. 6 Marcell Coetzee (captain). 5 Charlie Ewels. 4 Jacques du Plessis. 3 Robert Hunt. 2 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 1 Jacques van Rooyen

Substitutes: 16 Joe van Zyl. 17 Lizo Gqoboka. 18 Sebastian Lombard. 19 Merwe Olivier. 20 Mihlali Mosi. 21 Eugene Hare. 22 Cornal Hendricks. 23 Franco Knoetze

Sharks

15 Thaakir Abrahams, 14 Phiko Sobahle, 13 Murray Koster, 12 Alwayno Visagie, 11 Yaw Penxe, 10 Lionel Cronje, 9 Tiaan Fourie, 8 Henco Venter, 7 Thembelani Bholi, 6 Tino Mavesere, 5 Reniel Hugo (captain), 4 Ockie Barnard, 3 Khutha Mchunu, 2 Dan Jooste, 1 Khewzi MonaSubstitutes: 16 Dameon Venter, 17 Dian Bleuler, 18 Wiehahn Herbst, 19 Marco de Witt, 20 Daomon Royle, 21 Celimphilo Gumed, 22 Zee Mkhabela, 23 Fred Zeilinga

Venue: Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria

Date: Saturday, 6 May

Time: 17:30

Referee: Cwengile Jadezweni

TV: SuperSport