Curwin Bosch and Hanro Liebenberg to face the All Blacks

Pretoria – The Vodacom Bulls have named a formidable side to host the All Blacks at Loftus
Versfeld on Saturday, blending Springbok class with returning firepower and rising Currie
Cup talent as they aim to claim a famous scalp.
Captain Marcell Coetzee leads a match-day squad featuring four capped Springboks, with
Willie le Roux adding vast experience out wide. There is also a welcome return for loose
forward Hanro Liebenberg, back on South African soil after a productive stint with Leicester
Tigers in the English Premiership.
Much of the excitement, though, centres on flyhalf Curwin Bosch, who comes into the run-on
side after two years plying his trade in France. Bosch has long been regarded as one of the
most gifted attacking pivots to come through South African rugby, and Vodacom Bulls fans
will be hoping his instinctive running game can unlock an All Blacks defence renowned for
its line speed.
He will be flanked by two of the standout performers from the Vodacom URC campaign in
scrumhalf Embrose Papier and loose forward Jeandre Rudolph, both of whom will be
central to how the Vodacom Bulls look to play with tempo and ambition against the touring
side.
On the bench, coach Johan Ackermann has entrusted a spot to Hakeem Kunene, who has
impressed since arriving at Loftus for the Currie Cup and will be desperate to make his
mark on the biggest stage yet. Also among the replacements is Thaakir Abrahams, the
electric former Sharks and Munster wing whose pace could prove a vital weapon.

History, however, is firmly on the All Blacks' side. In four previous meetings between the
sides dating back to 1949, New Zealand have come out on top three times. The Bulls’ lone
victory remains a famous one, with Northern Transvaal edging the tourists 29-27 in August
1976, a result that will mark its 50th anniversary almost to the day when the two sides
meet again this weekend.
For the current Vodacom Bulls group, Saturday represents a rare chance to write a new
chapter in that history, and with the blend of Springbok know-how, returning quality and
emerging talent named, they will fancy their chances of springing an upset at fortress
Loftus.