Van Staden In, Bulls Locked And Loaded For URC Final Showdown With Leinster
Van Staden In, Bulls Locked And Loaded For URC Final Showdown With Leinster
Marco van Staden replaces the injured Hanekom, as the Bulls confirm their lineup for their URC Grand Final clash with Leinster at Croke Park.
The Vodacom Bulls have made a single enforced change to their lineup for Saturday’s United Rugby Championship Grand Final against Leinster at Croke Park, with Marco van Staden promoted to the starting XV following an injury to standout loose forward Cameron Hanekom.
- Subscribe To FloRugby To Watch Champions Cup 2025 Final
- 30 Years Of Champions Cup Finals: Here's What Happened In Every Match
- 100 Best Rugby Players In The World: Here's The Full List
- The 25 Best Rugby Clubs In The World On June 4th | FloRugby Rankings
Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White has reshuffled his back row, moving veteran Marcell Coetzee to No. 8, captain Ruan Nortje remaining at openside and Van Staden slotting in on the blindside flank.
Nizaam Carr is called onto the bench in the only change to the match-day 23 that defeated the Sharks in last week’s semifinal.
The rest of the pack remains unchanged, with Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Johan Grobbelaar and Wilco Louw forming a powerful front row.
Cobus Wiese and JF van Heerden continue their lock partnership as the Bulls aim to bring home their first URC title.
The back line also stays intact, led by the halfback pairing of Embrose Papier and Johan Goosen.
Harold Vorster and David Kriel combine in midfield, while Sebastian de Klerk and Canan Moodie take the wings. Veteran Willie le Roux starts at fullback.
White sticks with a 5-3 split on the bench, with forwards Akker van der Merwe, Alulutho Tshakweni, Mornay Smith, Jannes Kirsten and Carr offering power in reserve. Zak Burger, Keagan Johannes and Devon Williams provide cover across the back line.
Saturday’s decider marks the Bulls’ third URC final appearance in four seasons.
South Africa’s most decorated professional team – with three Super Rugby titles and 25 Currie Cups – holds a 4-2 head-to-head advantage over Leinster, including two semifinal triumphs, one of which came in Dublin.
Despite reaching the URC final twice before, the Bulls are yet to lift the trophy.
With three players - Hanekom, Wessels and Louw - named to the 2024-2025 Elite XV, White’s side enters the clash full of confidence and intent to claim a historic victory in front of a packed Croke Park crowd.
Bulls Roster
15 Willie le Roux, 14 Canan Moodie, 13 David Kriel, 12 Harold Vorster, 11 Sebastian de Klerk, 10 Johan Goosen, 9 Embrose Papier; 8 Marcell Coetzee, 7 Ruan Nortje (capt), 6 Marco van Staden; 5 JF van Heerden, 4 Cobus Wiese; 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 1 Jan-Hendrik Wessels.
Replacements: 16 Akker van der Merwe, 17 Alulutho Tshakweni, 18 Mornay Smith, 19 Jannes Kirsten, 20 Nizaam Carr, 21 Zak Burger, 22 Keagan Johannes, 23 Devon Williams.
How To Watch Rugby Matches In The United States On FloRugby
FloRugby and FloSports also are the U.S. home to:
FloRugby also is home to match archives and match replays.