Bulls name squad to face All Blacks as Coetzee targets victory

The Bulls have announced their squad to face the All Blacks, with captain Marcell Coetzee aiming to implement a South African style of play. The team looks to emulate the defensive and breakdown intensity shown by the Stormers in their recent encounter with the New Zealand side.

Marcell Coetzee will lead a loose forward trio alongside Jeandre Rudolph and Hanro Liebenberg. Liebenberg returns to South African rugby following a period with Leicester Tigers in the English Premiership. The backline will be managed by veteran Springbok Willie le Roux, who will support new flyhalf Curwin Bosch. Bosch returns to the local game after two years playing in France.

Coetzee noted the significance of the upcoming fixture, stating that the opportunity to play the All Blacks is a major moment for the younger players in the squad. He observed that the match allows players to measure their abilities against elite opposition. The captain also referenced the lessons the Bulls can learn from the Stormers' recent performance regarding set-pieces and the aerial game.

Bulls coach Johan Ackermann expressed confidence that his side will be competitive at Loftus. While acknowledging the All Blacks may have more experience, Ackermann stated the team intends to push them and seeks to cause an upset by executing their game plan effectively.

This fixture marks only the fifth time the Bulls have played the New Zealand side. The All Blacks have won three of the four previous meetings. The Bulls' solitary victory occurred in 1976, when Northern Transvaal defeated them 29-27. Saturday's match takes place nearly 50 years after that result.

The Bulls starting XV includes Willie le Roux, Thaakir Abrahams, Stedman Gans, Harold Vorster, Stravino Jacobs, Curwin Bosch, Embrose Papier, Jeandre Rudolph, Hanro Liebenberg, Marcell Coetzee, JF van Heerden, Ruan Vermaak, Francois Klopper, Juann Else, and Alu Tshakweni. Hakeem Kunene and Thaakir Abrahams are among the replacements.