Bulls welcome back Johan Goosen as URC campaign resumes against Zebre

The flyhalf returns to the mix as the 2022/23 URC campaign nears the business end, beginning with the round 17 clash against Italian outfit Zebre Parma, to be played at Emirates Airline Park on Saturday at 1pm.

The decision to play the match at Ellis Park and not the Bulls' regular home, Loftus Versfeld, is part of a new initiative between the Bulls and the Lions to try and keep growing matchday crowds.

Following the Bulls match at 1pm, the Lions will take on Leinster at 4pm. The two sides form part of the URC's first double-header outing to be staged outside of the United Kingdom.

Back the to Bulls' line-up, Goosen will slots in at 10 alongside scrumhalf Embrose Papier in a new halfback combination.

The backline will see David Kriel and Canan Moodie manning the wings, while Harold Vorster and Stedman Gans marshall the midfield, with Kurt-Lee Arendse at fullback.

Up front, Gerhard Steenekamp, Johan Grobbelaar and Mornay Smith will pack down in the front row, supported by Ruan Vermaak and club captain Ruan Nortje in the second row. Marco van Staden, Cyle Brink and Elrigh Louw will add weight from the back row.

Bismarck du Plessis, Dylan Smith, Francois Klopper, Janko Swanepoel, WJ Steenkamp, Keagan Johannes, Chris Smith and Cornal Hendricks will potentially get a run from the bench.

The Bulls are currently in seventh place on the URC table and will need to produce a strong showing in their last two fixtures to avoid missing out on a top-eight finish and advancing to the knock-out stages.

Bulls: 15 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 14 Canan Moodie, 13 Stedman Gans, 12 Harold Vorster, 11 David Kriel, 10 Johan Goosen 9 Embrose Papier, 8 Elrigh Louw, 7 Cyle Brink, 6 Marco van Staden, 5 Ruan Nortje (captain), 4 Ruan Vermaak, 3 Mornay Smith, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 1 Gerhard Steenekamp.

Replacements: 16 Bismarck du Plessis, 17 Dylan Smith, 18 Francois Klopper, 19 Janko Swanepoel, 20 WJ Steenkamp, 21 Keagan Johannes, 22 Chris Smith, 23 Cornal Hendricks.