Mediamec The Vodacom Bulls have made a focused adjustment to their forward pack ahead of their United Rugby Championship clash against the Dragons RFC, opting for added physicality in the engine room while maintaining overall continuity in their matchday squad.
The key change comes in the second row, where Cobus Wiese is promoted into the starting lineup alongside Ruan Nortjé. This sees Ruan Vermaak shift to the bench, giving the Bulls a different blend of starting power and finishing impact options.
The decision signals a clear tactical emphasis on strengthening the Bulls’ presence in contact situations, particularly in the set pieces and tight exchanges where forward dominance often dictates momentum. The revised lock pairing is expected to provide greater initial punch, with the aim of establishing early control in both scrum support and lineout execution.
Elsewhere, the Bulls have kept stability in their pack. The front row remains unchanged, ensuring consistency in the scrum platform, while the loose trio continues to be led by captain Marcell Coetzee, whose physicality and leadership remain central to the side’s forward strategy.
In the halfback department, Embrose Papier and Handré Pollard retain their roles, providing continuity in decision-making and territorial management as the Bulls look to impose structure and control throughout the match.
Overall, the selection reflects a measured tactical shift rather than a broad reshuffle. With the URC playoff race intensifying, the Bulls appear focused on combining experience and power as they prepare for a demanding away fixture against a Dragons side known for its resilience on home turf.
