Bulls shuffle for Dragons challenge

Vodacom Bulls coach Johan Ackermann has shuffled his side around for their important Vodacom United Rugby Championship match against the Dragons at Rodney Parade on Friday night, with injuries affecting their backline choices.

Both Kurt-Lee Arendse and Cheswill Jooste are sidelined with niggles and may be ready to return next week before they face the Scarlets, but for now have forced changes in the backline with Devon Williams returning to the starting line-up at fullback for the first time in several months.

Williams will be partnered by David Kriel on the right wing and Canan Moodie on the left, with Stedman Gans moving into the outside centre position alongside Harold Vorster.

Up front Cobus Wiese moves back into the engine room in a straight swap with Ruan Vermaak, while on the bench there are appearances for Paul de Wet and Celimpilo Gumede as the shuffle continues.

Sergeal Petersen, another player who hasn’t played for a while, is among the backline reserves, with Willie le Roux covering flyhalf and fullback.

The Bulls have never lost to the Dragons, but the recent form for the Welsh side, who are surprise semifinalists in the EPCR Challenge Cup, has given them confidence ahead of this match.

“We know what lies ahead of us,” Ackermann said in naming the side.

“We know we need to control our side and play well, otherwise it doesn’t matter and you won’t get a result. There is no easy game in the URC and we looked at them and analysed them.

"They are a quality side and where they lie on the log is not a reflection of who they are as a team. They are up on the stats in a lot of metrics. They are good in the air and play an exciting brand.

YOUR team to face the Dragons tomorrow night for our second last match on tour 🫡

🆚Dragons | 20:45 | 📍Rodney Parade @Vodacom #URC | @URCOfficial_RSA #TheUnbreakableLine pic.twitter.com/IQHovggblL — Official Blue Bulls (@BlueBullsRugby) April 16, 2026

“We saw how they pushed the Lions and the Stormers and now they are in a semifinal in Europe, so they are a quality side and they will back themselves at home.”

Vodacom Bulls: Devon Williams; David Kriel, Stedman Gans, Harold Vorster, Canan Moodie; Handre Pollard, Embrose Papier; Cameron Hanekom, Elrigh Louw, Marcell Coetzee (captain), Ruan Nortje, Cobus Wiese, Francois Klopper, Johan Grobbelaar, Gerhard Steenekamp.

Replacements: Marco van Staden, Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Mornay Smith, Ruan Vermaak, Mpilo Gumede, Paul de Wet, Willie le Roux, Sergeal Petersen.

Unavailable: Kurt-Lee Arendse, Cheswill Jooste, Wilco Louw.