For the current Bulls group, Saturday represents a rare chance to write a new chapter in their history, and with a blend of Springbok quality, returning players and emerging talent named in their matchday 23, they will hope to produce a competitive showing against the All Blacks.
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 this new instalment, 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.
Meanwhile, a total of 14 players named in the All Blacks’ 23 to take on the Bulls played in the opening match against the Stormers. Most notably, though, veteran hooker Codie Taylor will captain the side and feature in his first game of the tour.
Kick off is at 19:00 on Saturday.
HOW THE BULLS AND ALL BLACKS WILL LINE UP
BULLS – 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Thaakir Abrahams, 13 Stedman Gans, 12 Harold Vorster, 11 Stravino Jacobs, 10 Curwin Bosch, 9 Embrose Papier, 8 Jeandré Rudolph, 7 Hanro Liebenberg, 6 Marcell Coetzee (c), 5 JF van Heerden, 4 Ruan Vermaak, 3 Francois Klopper, 2 Juann Else, 1 Alu Tshakweni.
Subs: 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.
ALL BLACKS – 15 Beauden Barrett, 14 Leroy Carter, 13 Rieko Ioane, 12 Anton Lienert-Brown, 11 Josh Moorby, 10 Josh Jacomb, 9 Cortez Ratima, 8 Peter Lakai, 7 Anton Segner, 6 Simon Parker, 5 Patrick Tuipulotu, 4 Fabian Holland, 3 Tyrel Lomax, 2 Codie Taylor (c), 1 Xavier Numia.
Subs: 16 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 17 George Bower, 18 Siale Lauaki, 19 Josh Lord, 20 Wallace Sititi, 21 Kyle Preston, 22 Timoci Tavatavanawai, 23 Emoni Narawa.
Match facts:
• The All Blacks have played at Loftus Versfeld (and the former Eastern Sports Ground) 16 times since 1928, playing six Tests against the Springboks and four games against the forerunner to the Bulls, Northern Transvaal, in 1949, 1960, 1970 and 1976. The All Blacks won the first three games and lost the 1976 match 29-27.
• Other opponents the All Blacks have played at Loftus Versfeld include the Junior Springboks, South African Universities, Northern Universities, South African Combined Services, Pretoria and Pretoria Clubs. The All Blacks also played Scotland there at the 1995 Rugby World Cup.
• The match venue is 1350 metres above sea level, and the rarefied air allows kicks to travel much further than at sea level. Twenty years ago Dan Carter kicked what is possibly the longest ever penalty kick by an All Black, nailing a 62 metre-penalty goal in the All Blacks’ 45-26 victory.
