Johan Goosen has been named to start at flyhalf for the Vodacom Bulls in their URC semi-final clash against the Sharks at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.
Goosen, who has struggled with knee injuries throughout the season, makes his return after last featuring in early May against Cardiff, when he exited the game just 11 minutes in. The 13-cap Springbok replaces Keagan Johannes in the only change to the starting lineup that defeated Edinburgh 42-33 in last week’s quarter-final.
Johannes, who scored 14 points and a standout try in that match, moves to the bench, offering cover at both scrumhalf and flyhalf. His inclusion sees Stedman Gans drop out of the match-day squad.
The rest of Jake White’s bench remains unchanged, with Akker van der Merwe, Marco van Staden, Simphiwe Matanzima, Mornay Smith, Jannes Kirsten, Zak Burger, and Devon Williams all set to provide impact off the pine.
The Bulls, runners-up in 2022 and 2024, are chasing a place in the final, which could take place on home soil if Glasgow defeat Leinster in Dublin. Despite losing both regular-season fixtures to the Sharks this year, the Pretoria side boasts a strong record at Loftus, winning three of the last five URC meetings there.
BULLS – 15 Willie le Roux, 24 Canan Moodie, 13 David Kriel, 12 Harold Vorster, 11 Sebastian de Klerk, 10 Johan Goosen, 9 Embrose Papier, 8 Cameron Hanekom, 7 Ruan Nortje (c), 6 Marcell Coetzee, 5 JF van Heerden, 4 Cobus Wiese, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 1 Jan-Hendrik Wessels.
Subs: 16 Akker van der Merwe, 17 Simphiwe Matanzima, 18 Mornay Smith, 19 Jannes Kirsten, 20 Marco van Staden, 21 Zak Burger, 22 Keagan Johannes, 23 Devon Williams.
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Src: TheSouthAfrican.com - https://rugga.co.za/sharks/goosen-returns-as-bulls-eye-urc-playoff-redemption/
