Coach Johan Ackermann expects the Vodacom Bulls’ replacements to play a significant role in Saturday’s Investec Champions Cup last-16 clash against the Glasgow Warriors.
Vodacom URC log-leaders Glasgow are favourites having won 11 successive home matches, but their last defeat at Scotstoun Stadium came against the Bulls in April last year.
“I’m not a big believer in looking at the past,” Ackermann said. “That’s not how I like to do it as a coach, so we haven’t referred to that.
“We can only control what’s ahead of us – and that is Glasgow. That’s the challenge.
“This is a big game. It’s an opportunity for us to progress in a competition like this, so we felt we could keep continuity in selection and give it our best.”
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Ackermann made minimal changes to the team that beat Munster at Loftus Versfeld last week, with the biggest seeing David Kriel replace Willie le Roux at fullback.
Le Roux drops down to a strong bench that includes fellow backs Zak Burger and Stedman Gans, and forwards Marco van Staden, Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Mornay Smith, Cobus Wiese and Jeandré Rudolph.
Van Staden will again cover both flank and hooker.
“He’s been good, we can’t fault him,” said Ackermann. “It’s a big opportunity for him, especially with the Springboks looking at him in multiple positions.
“He’s not just cover at hooker, he’s training well there, throwing well, scrumming well.
On Gans, Ackermann said: “The luxury of having Stedman on the bench is he’s proven himself at 12 and 13, so that gives us an opportunity to bring him on in one of those positions and make a difference off the bench.”
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Ackermann expects a stern examination from a settled, confident Glasgow side under coach Franco Smith.
“They’re one of the best teams in the competition, in the URC and in Europe. They’ve got a lot of internationals, Scotland had a good Six Nations, and they play an exciting brand of rugby,” he said.
“They’ve also built a very strong home record, so it’s a massive challenge, but also a great opportunity.”
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