14 Springboks included in Bulls touring party as Johan Ackermann issues ‘give it a go’ rallying cry
Johan Ackermann (right) has named 14 Springboks in his 33-man touring party
Bulls boss Johan Ackermann has named his 33-man touring party for their Investec Champions Cup meeting with Glasgow Warriors, with 14 Springboks included.
The Pretoria-based side have qualified for the round of 16 in each of the past three seasons since South African sides joined the EPCR competitions, and will be hoping to reach the quarter-finals for the first time since 2024 this weekend.
However, they venture to Scotland to take on an in-form Glasgow side who have lost just three of their 17 competitive fixtures this season and qualified from the pool stage as the second seed in the competition.
The Bulls also come into the EPCR block in good touch, though, beating Munster and Cardiff in consecutive weekends since the March 14 loss to the Stormers.
Bulls name loaded touring squad for Champions Cup
Head coach Ackermann has pulled no punches in an effort to reach the quarter-finals, with 14 Springboks included in his 33-man touring party as the likes of Handre Pollard, Marco van Staden, Cameron Hanekom, Ruan Nortje, Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Willie le Roux and Kurt-Lee Arendse make the squad.
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Elsewhere, young duo Cheswill Jooste and Reinhardt Ludwig also make the wider squad, following strong performances in recent weeks.
Commenting on his selection, Ackermann said: “If we’re in the play-offs in the Champions Cup, we must give it a go. We will give it our best shot, and then we’ll take it from there.
“Glasgow are in front of us this week, but we’ll need to be better than we were against Munster if we hope to win.”
Glasgow have recent history on their side ahead of the clash on Saturday, winning the previous meeting between the sides at Scotstoun 21-12 last October.
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Bulls 33-man touring squad in full
Forwards: Gerhard Steenekamp, Alulutho Tshakweni, Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Johan Grobbelaar, Marco van Staden, Mornay Smith, Francois Klopper, Khuta Mchunu, Ruan Vermaak, Cobus Wiese, Ruan Nortje, Reinhardt Ludwig, JF van Heerden, Marcell Coetzee, Jeandre Rudolph, Elrigh Louw, Mpilo Gumede, Cameron Hanekom
Backs: Embrose Papier, Paul de Wet, Zak Burger, Handre Pollard, Keagan Johannes, Kurt-Lee Arendse, Sergeal Petersen, Harold Vorster, Stedman Gans, Canan Moodie, Katlego Letebele, Cheswill Jooste, Devon Williams, David Kriel, Willie le Roux