Jake switches up his Bulls side for Ospreys

Eight changes - but five of them positional - is how Vodacom Bulls coach Jake White responded to his side’s narrow loss to defending champions Munster last weekend for this weekend’s next Vodacom United Rugby Championship match against Welsh side Ospreys at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.

The Ospreys are genuine top eight contenders after their shock win over the DHL Stormers last weekend and head to Loftus knowing there is a little bit of self-doubt in the normally impenetrable fortress in Pretoria after the loss against Munster

White has responded by switching his team around - in some cases forced by suspension and call-ups, while in others responding to the way the team want to play.

For instance, 19-year old lock JF van Heerden left with the SA under-20 side for the under-20 Rugby Championships, prompting a change there, while Johan Goosen’s three match ban for his red card was something the Bulls could do nothing about in terms of selection.

Goosen’s three-game ban was apparently a bit lighter thanks to a letter written by Irish scrumhalf Craig Casey, the recipient of the dangerous tackle, that claimed there was no malice in Goosen’s actions.

But still, White was necessitated to make a change there, and in the process Chris Smith moves into the 10 jersey to partner Embrose Papier.

Van Heerden’s departure meant a bit of a shuffle was needed in the pack, and Reinhard Ludwig, who played at seven against Munster, moves back to the lock position, while Cameron Hanekom moves back to his regular eight position from openside, with captain Elrigh Louw shifting to blindside after playing at eight last week.

The open spot is filled by Nizaam Carr, who will bring experience to the side.

In the backline as well, Canan Moodie returns to the wing where he has been missed under the high ball, leaving the midfield to reform the Bok back three with Kurt-Lee Arendse and Willie le Roux.

That means that David Kriel shifts from inside to outside centre with Harold Vorster returning to the 12 role.

One piece of good news is the return of Jannes Kirsten, who will make his first appearance off the bench since returning to the Bulls. Jaco van der Walt is there as flyhalf cover.

All this underscores how seriously the Bulls are taking the Ospreys threat and how valuable they know a victory will be for their cause.

Vodacom Bulls: Willie le Roux; Canan Moodie, David Kriel, Harold Vorster, Kurt-Lee Arendse; Chris Smith, Embrose Papier; Cameron Hanekom, Elrigh Louw (captain), Nizaam Carr, Reinhardt Ludwig, Ruan Vermaak, Wilco Louw, Johan Grobbelaar, Gerhard Steenekamp.

Replacements: Akker van der Merwe, Simphiwe Matanzima, Mornay Smith, Janko Swanepoel, Jannes Kirsten, Zak Burger, Jaco van der Walt, Devon Williams.