Bulls flex their muscles with eight changes to pack for URC clash against Ulster

Coach Johan Ackermann has reshuffled his forwards following last week's emphatic 56-20 victory over Stade Francais, with Elrigh Louw moving from openside flank to number eight and Marcell Coetzee taking over the captaincy and the number six jersey.

The front row has been completely changed, with Gerhard Steenekamp, Johan Grobbelaar and Francois Klopper promoted from the bench to start. They replace Alu Tshakweni, Jan-Hendrik Wessels and Khutha Mchunu.

There are also two new faces in the second row, where Ruan Vermaak and Reinhardt Ludwig come in for Cobus Wiese and JF van Heerden, neither of whom has been included in the match-day squad.

Hanro Liebenberg joins the loose forwards at openside flank, while Marco van Staden drops to the bench after starting at number six against Stade Francais. Louw's move to number eight sees Cameron Hanekom named among the replacements.

The Bulls have opted for continuity among their backs, retaining the same halfback pairing, midfield combination and back three that helped them to last weekend's 36-point victory.

Paul de Wet and Handre Pollard continue at scrumhalf and flyhalf respectively, with Harold Vorster and Sango Xamlashe again partnering in midfield. Cheswill Jooste, Sebastian de Klerk and Luan Giliomee complete the back three.

Zak Burger, Curwin Bosch and Dylan Maart are new additions to the bench. Bosch provides cover at flyhalf and across the backline, while Maart offers another option among the backs.

Embrose Papier, Stravino Jacobs, Willie le Roux and Jaco Grobbelaar are the notable omissions from the match-day squad.

Bulls: 15 Luan Giliomee, 14 Sebastian de Klerk, 13 Sango Xamlashe, 12 Harold Vorster, 11 Cheswill Jooste, 10 Handre Pollard, 9 Paul de Wet, 8 Elrigh Louw, 7 Hanro Liebenberg, 6 Marcell Coetzee (captain), 5 Reinhardt Ludwig, 4 Ruan Vermaak, 3 Francois Klopper, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 1 Gerhard Steenekamp.

Replacements - 16 Marco van Staden, 17 Alu Tshakweni, 18 Khutha Mchunu, 19 Cobus Wiese, 20 Cameron Hanekom, 21 Zak Burger, 22 Curwin Bosch, 23 Dylan Maart.

READ MORE: Cheslin Kolbe's story is a message of hope for South Africa's youth