Challenge Cup Preview: Bulls face proud Edinburgh in battle for final four

The Bulls have been given a timely boost by the return to full-match fitness of club captain Ruan Nortje. The Springbok lock returns to the starting XV to marshal the lineouts alongside his understudy and Junior Springbok, JF van Heerden.

Other changes to the forwards pack see Marcell Coetzee shifting from eight to the role of loose forward, pairing up with Champions Cup winner Jannes Kirsten. That shift sees Cameron Hanekom return to the starting lineup in his regular eighth-man role.

At the front, the trio of Simphiwe Matanzima, Akker van der Merwe and Wilco Louw remains unchanged from the round of 16.

Director of Rugby Jake White has retained the services of the same back line of Zak Burger, Keagan Johannes, Stravino Jacobs, Harold Vorster, David Kriel, Sergeal Petersen and Devon Williams, who all did duty in France.

White has also made adjustments to the impact squad, adding the Springbok duo of Johann Grobbelaar and Canan Moodie, both returning to action after a few weeks of being on the sidelines. The rest of the five-three split standby crew also features Jan-hendrik Wessels, Mornay Smith, Reinhardt Ludwig, Marco van Staden, Embrose Papier and Johan Goosen.

The World Cup-winning coach said the team has momentum from last weekend's victory.

"Last week's result was massive, to get an away win in France is a big deal, especially because Bayonne are a strong outfit that sits fourth in their league," said White.

"That winning feeling is something you cannot bottle but it has given us confidence, and the vibe in the camp is upbeat. We have a nice environment and it gives us a nice feeling as a group. I am really happy we got that win, and we must now take that momentum into this week.

Meanwhile, Edinburgh coach Sean Everitt named an unchanged backline with Wes Goosen - Player of the Match against the Lions - continuing at fullback alongside wingers Darcy Graham and Ross McCann. James Lang and Matt Currie form the midfield at inside and outside centre respectively.

Ross Thompson caps the week he signed a new two-year deal with a start at flyhalf, partnering co-captain Ben Vellacott in the halves.

In the pack, Javan Sebastian once again starts at tighthead, alongside Venter and Ashman to complete the front row. The experienced pairing of Grant Gilchrist and Sam Skinner continue in the second-row.

The back-row is formed of a trio of club centurions, with Jamie Ritchie (blindside flanker), Hamish Watson (openside flanker) and Magnus Bradbury (number-eight) starting together for consecutive matches.

"This will be a step up, Bulls are two-time URC finalists, and they had a good away win against Bayonne last weekend to progress to the last eight," said Everitt.

"We spoke last week about getting a home Round of 16 and quarterfinal, and we've managed that. Now, if we get through, we get a home semi. We have set ourselves up nicely, but like I say, it's a difficult challenge ahead of us. One that we're not afraid of, and one that we certainly are going for."

Kickoff is at 1330.

Teams

Bulls - 15 Devon Williams, 14 Sergeal Petersen, 13 David Kriel, 12 Harold Vorster, 11 Stravino Jacobs, 10 Keagan Johannes, 9 Zak Burger, 8 Cameron Hanekom, 7 Jannes Kirsten, 6 Marcell Coetzee, 5 JF van Heerden, 4 Ruan Nortje (c), 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Akker van der Merwe, 1 Simphiwe Matanzima.

Replacements: 16 Johann Grobbelaar, 17 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 18 Mornay Smith, 19 Reinhardt Ludwig, 20 Marco van Staden, 21 Embrose Papier, 22 Johan Goosen, 23 Canan Moodie.

Edinburgh - 15 Wes Goosen, 14 Darcy Graham, 13 Matt Currie, 12 James Lang, 11 Ross McCann, 10 Ross Thompson, 9 Ben Vellacott (cc), 8 Magnus Bradbury, 7 Hamish Watson, 6 Jamie Ritchie, 5 Grant Gilchrist (cc), 4 Sam Skinner, 3 Javan Sebastian, 2 Ewan Ashman, 1 Boan Venter.

Replacements: 16 Dave Cherry, 17 Pierre Schoeman, 18 D'arcy Rae, 19 Robert Carmichael, 20 Ben Muncaster, 21 Ali Price, 22 Cammy Scott, 23 Mosese Tuipulotu.

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