Vodacom Bulls include four Boks to face the All Blacks

Marcell Coetzee leads a match-day squad featuring four capped Springboks, with Willie le Roux adding vast experience out wide. There is also a welcome return for loose forward Hanro Liebenberg, back on South African soil after a productive stint with Leicester Tigers in the English Premiership.

Much of the excitement, though, centres on flyhalf Curwin Bosch, who comes into the run-on side after two years plying his trade in France. Bosch has long been regarded as one of the most gifted attacking pivots to come through South African rugby, and Vodacom Bulls fans will be hoping his instinctive running game can unlock an All Blacks defence renowned for its line speed.

He will be flanked by two of the standout performers from the Vodacom URC campaign in scrumhalf Embrose Papier and loose forward Jeandre Rudolph, both of whom will be central to how the Vodacom Bulls look to play with tempo and ambition against the touring side.

On the bench, coach Johan Ackermann has entrusted a spot to Hakeem Kunene, who has impressed since arriving at Loftus for the Carling Currie Cup and will be desperate to make his mark on the biggest stage yet. Also among the replacements is Thaakir Abrahams, the electric former Hollywoodbets Sharks and Munster wing whose pace could prove a vital weapon.

History, however, is firmly on the All Blacks’ side. In four previous meetings between the sides dating back to 1949, New Zealand have come out on top three times. The Bulls’ lone victory remains a famous one, with Northern Transvaal edging the tourists 29-27 in August 1976, a result that will mark its 50th anniversary almost to the day when the two sides meet again this weekend.

For the current Vodacom Bulls group, Saturday represents a rare chance to write a new chapter in that history, and with the blend of Springbok know-how, returning quality and emerging talent named, they will fancy their chances of springing an upset at fortress Loftus.

**Vodacom Bulls team:**
15 Willie le Roux
14 Thaakir Abrahams
13 Stedman Gans
12 Harold Vortster
11 Stravino Jacobs
10 Curwin Bosch
9 Embrose Papier

8 Jeandre Rudolph
7 Hanro Liebenberg
6 Marcell Coetzee (Captain)
5 JF van Heerden
4 Ruan Vermaak
3 Francois Klopper
2 Juann Else
1 Alu Tshakweni

**Replacements:**
16 Jaundre Schoeman
17 Sti Sithole
18 Khuta Mchunu
19 Reinhardt Ludwig
20 Mpilo Gumede
21 Paul de Wet
22 Katlego Letebele
23 Hakeem Kunene

Masters of controlling the pace and tempo of the game, the All Blacks were nonetheless forced to work hard for every inch, and the first half closed out with the visitors on attack, but under so much pressure that the effort finished off with a wild pass into touch.

A side this good does not dwell on the past and they threw everything into their third try, initially held up over the tryline but an offsides penalty was tapped and after a couple of recycles at close quarters, the ball was sent out wide for another touchline try, and another well-struck conversion for a 21-0 lead five minutes into the second half.

Seven minutes later they went over for their fourth try, the bobbling ball in the red zone eluding everyone but the All Blacks fortuitously and then the conversion from out wide once more bang on target for a 28-0 lead with 25 minutes remaining.

Further tries came in the 60th and 62nd minutes with Ma’a Nonu coming on to face the team he won two Rugby World Cups with, and who enjoyed a 42-0 lead with a little less than a final quarter left to play.

With 10 minutes remaining, a well-crafted multi-phase attack culminated in another try in the corner, with the conversion missing the mark for the first time in the game as the All Blacks’ score approached the 50-point mark.

They hit the half century in the 75th minute as they upped the tempo on attack, the conversion taking them into a 54-0 lead.

There was a flash of light in the closing moments as Jurenzo Julius showcased his attacking prowess, but he was cut down barely a handful of metres from the tryline to close out the match.  

**Scorers:**

**Hollywoodbets Sharks 0**

**All Blacks 54 (14)** - Tries: Fehi Fineanganofo (2), Damian McKenzie, Caleb Clarke, Jordie Barrett, Kyle Preston, Timoci Tavatavanawai, Sam Darry. Conversions: Love (6).

Source: Original report at SA Rugby.