Bulls ring the changes as Giliomee earns first start

The Vodacom Bulls have made wholesale changes to their starting XV for this week’s Investec Champions Cup opening round clash against Stade Français, with Handré Pollard returning at flyhalf, Elrigh Louw taking over the captaincy and under-20 tyro Luan Giliomee earning his first start at fullback.

Giliomee’s promotion is one of the standout talking points in a reshuffled Vodacom Bulls backline, with the youngster handed an opportunity to make his mark at senior level. His selection at No 15 comes at the expense of the experienced Willie le Roux, who moves to the bench to provide valuable cover and leadership.

The Vodacom Bulls have made multiple changes to their starting line-up following last week’s selection, with several players promoted from the replacements and others returning to the match-day squad.

Pollard’s inclusion at No 10 is another major boost, with the Springbok pivot replacing Curwin Bosch. His experience and game management will be important as the Vodacom Bulls look to dictate proceedings against the French opposition. Paul de Wet retains the scrumhalf position.

Up front, Alu Tshakweni, Jan-Hendrik Wessels and Khutha Mchunu form an entirely new starting front row, replacing Gerhard Steenekamp, Johan Grobbelaar and Francois Klopper. Cobus Wiese also moves into the second row alongside JF van Heerden, with Ruan Vermaak dropping out of the 23-man squad.

There is a significant reshuffle in the loose forwards. Marco van Staden and Louw move into the starting line-up, with the latter assuming the captaincy, while Cameron Hanekom retains his place at No 8. Hanro Liebenberg drops out of the match-day squad, while Jeandre Rudolph moves to the bench.

The backline sees further changes, with Cheswill Jooste coming in on the left wing and Sango Xamlashe selected at outside centre. Harold Vorster and Sebastian de Klerk retain their places at inside centre and right wing respectively.

Among the replacements, Embrose Papier comes in for Keagan Johannes, while Stravino Jacobs joins Le Roux in providing backline cover. Johan Grobbelaar, Steenekamp and Klopper are also named among the forwards on the bench.

The selection presents an intriguing blend of experience and emerging talent. Pollard brings international pedigree, Louw takes on the responsibility of leading the side, and Giliomee gets a valuable opportunity to step up from the under-20 ranks and stake his claim.

For the Vodacom Bulls, the challenge will be to ensure the new combinations click quickly, with the performance of the reshaped pack and the composure of the young fullback among the key talking points heading into the Stade Français encounter.

Vodacom Bulls

Starting XV: 15. Luan Giliomee, 14. Sebastian de Klerk, 13. Sango Xamlashe, 12. Harold Vorster, 11. Cheswill Jooste, 10. Handre Pollard, 9. Paul de Wet, 8. Cameron Hanekom, 7. Elrigh Louw (captain), 6. Marco van Staden, 5. JF van Heerden, 4. Cobus Wiese, 3. Khutha Mchunu, 2. Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 1. Alu Tshakweni.

Replacements: 16. Johan Grobbelaar, 17. Gerhard Steenekamp, 18. Francois Klopper, 19. Jaco Grobbelaar, 20. Jeandre Rudolph, 21. Embrose Papier, 22. Stravino Jacobs, 23. Willie le Roux.