Jake White names strong Bulls team for Champions Cup showdown against Lyon

There are a few minor adjustments to the lineup following their big defeat against Leinster in Dublin last weekend.

Having had time to reflect on the result, which saw the Bulls lead Leinster 14-12 at half-time only to go down 47-14, White said it was important to put the pedigree of their opponents into context.

"You are not comparing apples with apples here. Their bench just came off winning back-to-back Six Nations tournaments," White said.

"The reality is, that group of [Leinster] players, the bulk of them, have played in three Six Nations tournaments and won two, and also a World Cup. There is a hell of a difference in personnel.

"For me, it is just a reality check of where we are and coding for myself what we need to do."

Looking ahead to Saturday's match, with Marco van Staden sidelined due to injury, co-captain Marcell Coetzee will assume the No 6 jersey alongside Elrigh Louw at No 8 and Reinhardt Ludwig stepping in on the other side of the scrum.

In the front row, Johan Grobbelaar comes in to wear the No 2 jersey in place of Akker van der Merwe, who moves to the bench.

Meanwhile, in the backline, Sebastian de Klerk enters the back three, leading to Kurt-Lee Arendse shifting to other side of the park, while Devon Williams is slated to feature from the bench on Saturday.

Springbok stars Canan Moodie and Willie le Roux will once again take their positions at outside centre and fullback respectively.

Bulls - 15 Willie Le Roux, 14 Sebastian de Klerk, 13 Canan Moodie, 12 David Kriel, 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 10 Johan Goosen, 9 Embrose Papier, 8 Elrigh Louw, 7 Reinhardt Ludwig, 6 Marcell Coetzee (co-captain), 5 Ruan Nortje (co-captain), 4 Ruan Vermaak, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 1 Gerhard Steenekamp
Replacements: 16 Akker van der Merwe, 17 Simphiwe Matanzima, 18 Mornay Smith, 19 JF van Heerden, 20 Nizaam Carr, 21 Zak Burger, 22 Chris Smith, 23 Devon Williams

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