Johan Ackermann insists the Vodacom Bulls are not underestimating Zebre ahead of Saturday’s URC clash at Loftus, despite making several team changes.
The Bulls will field a heavily rotated side, with several regular impact players promoted into the run-on XV.
“We felt that at some point we needed to give the guys who’ve constantly been getting game time off the bench, a chance to start,” Ackermann explained. “Put them in that scenario for a change.
“We literally just put our bench in the starting lineup and the guys who often start, are now on the bench.”
TEAM: Willie at 10 for Bulls, Canan returns
One of the more eye-catching changes sees Kurt-Lee Arendse shift to fullback following the injury to David Kriel.
“The only difference is with Kurt-Lee’s scenario which we were forced into by the injury to David Kriel, so the reality is we just wanted to test our depth at fullback,” Ackermann added.
ACKERS: Boks have contacted Embrose
Despite the heavy rotation, Ackermann insists the Bulls are fully aware of the threat posed by Zebre, who have shown significant improvement this season despite being bottom of the log.
“I must make it clear that we’re not underestimating Zebre,” he said. “We have a lot of respect for them and what they can bring.
“If you analyse them, you’ll find that sometimes they’ve just been unlucky, and there’ve been small margins.”
AFRICA PICKS: URC Round 17 – Friday betting preview
Photo: Gordon Arons/Gallo Images
