Bulls look to start year with bang, name strong squad for Welsh trip

The Bulls have confirmed their 28-man travelling squad ahead of their tour to Wales for this Friday's United Rugby Championship (URC) match.

The Bulls take on Dragons on Friday at the Rodney Parade stadium in the city of Newport, South of Wales as they get their look to start their year with a bang following their disappointing 2022.

READ | Bulls must 'look inward' to improve after Sharks URC mauling, says Jake White

Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White says that they'll be looking forward to starting the year on track and with positive energy.

The Bulls come off back-to-back losses in the URC, including a 37-27 loss against the Stormers and then last weekend's Sharks hammering of 47-20 at Kings Park.

"We have another three away games this January. This is the block that is toughest for us, playing six out of seven games on the road so things aren’t getting any easier but we just have to make sure that we improve every week," said White.

"This is a massive test of character for us as a group, both coaches and players but we have to make sure that we start the new year with good energy and look to get both our campaigns (United Rugby Championship and the Champions Cup) on track."

Kick-off is at 21:35 SA time.

Bulls Touring Squad:

Forwards (16): Simphiwe Matanzima, Johan Grobbelaar, Mornay Smith, Ruan Vermaak, Ruan Nortje (captain), Marco van Staden, Cyle Brink, Elrigh Louw, Gerhard Steenekamp, Bismarck Du Plessis, Sebastian Lombard, Janko Swanepoel, Reinhardt Ludwig, WJ Steenkamp, Dylan Smith, and Nizaam Carr

Backs (12): Zak Burger, Embrose Papier, Johan Goosen, Chris Smith, Bernard van der Linde, David Kriel, Harold Vorster, Cornal Hendricks, Wandisile Simelane, Tiaan Lange, Canan Moodie and Kurt-Lee Arendse