Bulls in hot water with EPCR over controversial Champions Cup team selection – report

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The Bulls could be in trouble after it was reported that European Professional Club Rugby will open an investigation into the franchise.

It comes after the South African outfit fielded a weakened team for their Champions Cup clash against Northampton Saints on Saturday.

They moved into the last-eight of the competition following a dominant 59-19 triumph over Lyon, where they named their strongest side.

11 Springboks left at home

However, a week on, the Bulls have selected a much-changed 23 and kept their Springboks at home with 11 of them left back in Pretoria.

It has attracted criticism with onlookers claiming that Jake White’s men have devalued the competition by fielding the 23 they have.

And according to The Times, SA Rugby are “expecting a backlash” with the governing body that oversees the Champions Cup potentially looking into the matter.

That could lead to sanctions and risk their future in this season’s competition, even if the South African side reaches the semi-finals.

Earlier in the week, Bulls boss White defended their decision to switch their team up.

“One of the things I learned last year was that I didn’t rotate my squad enough,” he said. “I kept the same players over and over and over and it came back to bite me at the end of the season.

“It has nothing to do with the Munster game, it has everything to do with where we are as a group.

“Six of the guys on this tour have played in three Super Rugby finals. Probably about eight guys have beaten Leinster [in the URC semi-finals] in Dublin. Cameron Hanekom and Stravino Jacobs have come back from injuries and were the number-one starters before they got injured.”

‘It’s a slap in the face’ – Jake White defends Bulls selection for Champions Cup quarter-final

The importance of rotation

He added: “Rotation is very important for where we are as a group. More importantly, I’ve received medical advice that some guys who have bumps and bruises after the last massive game we had against Lyon, would be a massive risk to bring them overseas.

“With the travelling and their injuries, they might not be ready for Saturday. That would mean I would be here with a big group of injuries that would be at risk not to start on Saturday.

“I can’t have four, five, six, seven guys that are 50/50 when we travel and they aren’t ready by Saturday, because the chances of being able to replace them are minimal.

“It’s the best team, I’m confident and looking forward to seeing how this team does.”

According to The Times, that explanation from White may not wash with the authorities as there have been accusations that the Bulls are prioritising the United Rugby Championship.

They currently reside in third place in the URC and take on Munster in a crucial encounter at Loftus Versfeld next weekend.