Ruan Nortje v Alun Wyn Jones, Grobbies v Dewi: Bulls' Bok hopefuls get ideal chance to kick on

They might not be supplying a vast number of current Springboks, but the Bulls are almost certain to provide a steady stream of them post next year's World Cup.

It's therefore unsurprising that the influential trio of hooker Johan Grobbelaar, lock Ruan Nortje and No 8 Elrigh Louw are under the spotlight for Friday night's United Rugby Championship (URC) meeting with Ospreys in Swansea as they take the field for the first time since attending the Springboks' second alignment camp a fortnight ago.

Given the nod they've received that they are part of the national team's future planning as well as the new insights they've gained from spending time in the company of Jacques Nienaber and co, a vital match against Wales' best-placed side in this season's campaign is an appropriate platform for them to show they belong at the highest level.

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For the lanky Nortje, who's earned rave reviews from the second row and comparison with Franco Mostert, a duel with Welsh legend Alun Wyn Jones is a particularly tough assignment.

"A guy like Ruan has grown considerably since I started at the Bulls," said Jake White, the franchise's director of rugby.

"He was really young and now he's played himself into the Boks' alignment camps. Now he has the opportunity to play against the greatest locks of all time. I'm quite keen to see that his growth has come on. 

"That's part of our jobs as coaches, you want to put players like Ruan in those environments."

Nortje might boast the most prominent battle, but Grobbelaar - part of last year's Bok squad for the Rugby Championship - will have his hands full against direct opponent Dewi Lake, who commenced his international