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By Renaldo BothmaTwo losses in a row in the Carling Currie Cup and the Bulls XV needed something to shift the mood. They've got it. Six Junior Springboks — fresh off lifting the World Rugby U20 Championship trophy — walk straight into the matchday 23 for tomorrow's Jukskei derby against the Lions at the University of Johannesburg. I've been around enough dressing rooms to know what that kind of energy does to a squad. These aren't kids still dreaming about winning something; they've already done it. That changes how they carry themselves, and it changes how the players around them respond.
This is a match the Bulls XV must win. Local bragging rights, crucial Currie Cup points, and a season that needs rescuing — it's all on the line at UJ tomorrow. Here's how I see it playing out.
The Junior Springbok injection
Siphosethu Mnebelele, Kebotile Maake, Heinrich Theron, Hendre Schoeman, Aka Boqwane and Thomas Beling all come back into Bulls colours carrying world champion medals. That is not a small thing. Maake, Theron, Schoeman and winger Lindsey Jansen go straight into the starting XV, while Eloff, Boqwane and Lavela Pongolo are primed to make their mark off the bench. Seven players in this 23 are in line for their Currie Cup debut. Seven. For a franchise under pressure, that is a bold call — and I respect it. You don't blood that many youngsters in a derby unless you believe in them. The coaching staff clearly do, and after what these players achieved on the world stage, I think that faith is justified.
Where the game will be decided
Keep your eye on the loose trio. Beling at No 8 is the one I'm watching most closely. A world champion at this level has a point to prove to the senior structures — that hunger is exactly what you want from a back-rower in a derby. Maake and Theron alongside him complete a loose trio that is young, athletic and, crucially, playing with nothing to lose. The Lions will target that inexperience in the collisions early doors. If the Bulls' loose forwards can hold their shape in those first twenty minutes and not concede penalties in the tackle area, I think the Bulls win this comfortably.