White on critcism of Bulls squad ahead of clash with Northampton: 'It's a slap in the face'
White insists that the 23-man team he has announced is not a B-team and is adamant in his belief that they can win the game.
Vodacom Bulls coach Jake White. Picture: @BlueBullsRugby/X
JOHANNESBURG - Bulls director of rugby Jake White has named an understrength side for their Champions Cup quarter-final clash with Northampton on Saturday.
Springboks Willie le Roux, Canan Moodie, Kurt-lee Arendse are amongst those who have been omitted including several other first-choice starters. Wing Sebastian de Klerk is the only player to retain his starting spot from last week's game against Lyon.
White explained the reasons for the changes. He added that he needed to rotate his squad after learning from the previous season where the players were burned out at the end of the campaign.
“I think six of the guys on this tour have played in three Super Rugby finals, probably about eight have beaten Leinster in Leinster. Cameron Hanekom and Stravino Jacobs have come back from injuries and they were the number one starters in their positions before they got injured,” White said.
White insists that the 23-man team he has announced is not a B-team and is adamant in his belief that they can win the game.
“Every competition that I’ve coached in is to win. I don’t want anyone to ever underestimate the fact. I think it’s a slap in the face, people are saying A and B teams, this team played two years ago in nearly every game,” said White.
Earlier in the week, White said he'd like to replicate Leinster's success in Ireland with the Bulls and make them the benchmark in South African rugby. He repeated that hope and said the players he's selected have a great chance to prove they belong at this level.
Kick-off on Saturday is at 9pm.
Bulls team to play Northampton:
15. Devon Williams, 14. Sebastian de Klerk, 13. Henry Immelman, 12. Harold Vorster, 11. Stravino Jacobs, 10. Chris Smith, 9. Zak Burger, 8. Cameron Hanekom, 7. Mpilo Gumede, 6. Nizaam Carr (capt), 5. JF van Heerden, 4. Janko Swanepoel, 3. Mornay Smith, 2. Akker van der Merwe, 1. Simphiwe Matanzima. Bench: 16. Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 17. Dylan Smith, 18. Francois Klopper, 19. Merwe Olivier, 20. Reinhardt Ludwig, 21. Keagan Johannes, 22. Jaco van der Walt, 23. Cornal Hendricks