Should Nortjé stay at flank in quarters?

THE Bulls have an abundance of loose-forward options, but who should start in the United Rugby Championship quarter-final against Edinburgh next Saturday?

- ASHFAK MOHAMED

Coach Jake White has happily rotated his loose trio throughout the season with great success, with yet another new face, Nama Xaba, clinching the Player of the Match award in last week's 55-15 romp over the hapless Dragons.

But now it's all or nothing in next Saturday's playoff against Edinburgh at Loftus Versfeld (1.30 pm). There is no rotation needed the best open-side flank, blindside flan,k and No 8 must run out against the Scottish club.

Let's look at all the loose-forward options available to White: Marcell Coetzee, Marco van Staden, Cameron Hanekom, Xaba, Jannes Kirsten, Mihlali Mosi, Cobus Wiese and Ruan Nortjé.

It is understood that Nizaam Carr, Reinhardt Ludwig and Mpilo Gumede are injured and out of the mix at the moment, while Elrigh Louw will only return next year.

Now, based on his selections in recent matches, White is likely to opt for Coetzee at openside, Nortjé at blindside and Hanekom at No 8.