Flyhalf Johan Goosen and swashbuckling loose forward Cameron Hanekom headline the changes made by the Vodacom Bulls ahead of their EPCR Challenge Cup round of 16 matchup against French Top 14 outfit Aviron Bayonnais. The two teams will meet at 13h30 (RSA Time) on Saturday, 05 April at the Stade Jean-Dauger.

For their trip North to the Basque Country region of southwest France, the herd sees a return to action for Reinhardt Ludwig and Stedman Gans whilst there are also role changes for the front row and the impact squad.

Director of Rugby Jake White is under no illusion for the battle in France and says his hosts on the weekend will be difficult to beat, but he believes the team he has assembled has the goods needed for the job.

“Bayonnais are a very good French team, and their league is probably not spoken about enough in terms of how good it is, as well as how the teams are doing in it. They have been really good this season and I think they are yet to lose at home, so from our point of view that team will finish strong which is important because against other big teams, you will have to play well for 80 minutes.”

He adds: “They [Bayonnais] are not number 4 – on the log – for nothing. They have a good defence; their set piece is strong. It is a common understanding from local coaches that they have the best centre combination in the League, and that is a rating from the French public,”

“They are a really good team all around, not just one area where they are strong. So, it will be a tough game which presents a great opportunity for us, away from home. A wonderful experience for our young players who will be here for the first time. Hopefully, we will play well to the occasion.”

At the front, White has assembled a front row that features Simphiwe Matanzima, who gets his first start in the campaign alongside hooker, Akker van der Merwe with Wilco Louw at prop. Ludwig comes in and partners up with JF van Heerden at lock. Marco van Staden shifts from the impact to the starting XV and will be alongside Jannes Kirsten at loosehead, with skipper Marcell Coetzee at eight.

An unchanged backline from the round 14 VURC clash against Zebre is once again trusted to do service this weekend in France.

The standby squad sees Springboks Jan-hendrik Wessels, Ruan Nortje, Cameron Hanekom, Embrose Papier and Johan Goosen alongside Alulutho Tshakweni, Mornay Smith and Stedman Gans in a five-three split impact squad.

VODACOM BULLS vs AVIRON BAYONNAIS STARTING XV: 1. Simphiwe Matanzima, 2. Akker van der Merwe, 3. Wilco Louw, 4. Reinhardt Ludwig, 5. JF van Heerden, 6. Marco van Staden, 7. Jannes Kirsten, 8. Marcell Coetzee (c), 9. Zak Burger, 10. Keagan Johannes, 11. Stravino Jacobs, 12. Harold Vorster, 13. David Kriel, 14. Sergeal Petersen, 15. Devon Williams

VODACOM BULLS IMPACT SQUAD: 16. Jan-hendrik Wessels, 17. Alulutho Tshakweni, 18. Mornay Smith, 19. Ruan Nortje, 20. Cameron Hanekom, 21. Embrose Papier, 22. Johan Goosen, 23. Stedman Gans

MANAGEMENT: Jake White – Director of Rugby, Chris Rossouw – Assistant Coach, Werner Kruger – Assistant Coach, Andries Bekker – Assistant Coach, Jean Tiedt – Assistant Coach, Kennedy Tsimba – Assistant Coach, Phiwe Nomlomo – Assistant Coach, John-William Meyer – Technical Analyst, Dr. Herman Rossouw – Team Doctor, Lance Lemmetjies & Darryn Berry – Physiotherapists, Andre Volsteedt – Strength & Conditioning, Yusuf Vahed – Sport Scientist, Dr. Eugene Hare – Team Manager, Simon Dyidi – Logistics Manager