Johannesburg – A late venue change handed the Blue Bulls homeground advantage for their Vodacom Cup semi-final match against the defending champions, the Golden Lions, on Saturday.
The two teams will now meet at Loftus Versfeld after the hosts finished above their southern neighbours on the points log.
The match was originally scheduled for Johannesburg on Friday, but a relook at the regulations of the competition prompted a venue switch.
Blue Bulls coach Nollis Marais made a number of changes to the side which squeezed past the Free State in the quarterfinal match in Bloemfontein, with the inclusion of Tony Jantjies the most noticeable.
Jantjies kicked a late penalty to secure victory in Bloemfontein and has been rewarded with a starting berth, while Tian Schoeman drops to the bench.
With Jesse Kriel now on Junior Springboks duty, a fit-again Travis Ismaiel will play on the left wing in the other change at the back.
Up front, Marvin Orie has been promoted from the bench, with the lock taking over from injured Schalk van Heerden.
Christiaan de Bruin was also drafted into the side at flank, with Reniel Hugo covering the lock position on the bench.
Blue Bulls team: Clayton Blommetjies, Sampie Mastriet, Waylon Murray, Burger Odendaal, Travis Ismaiel, Tony Jantjies, Lohan Jacobs, Clyde Davids, Christiaan de Bruin, Wiaan Liebenberg, Marvin Orie, David Bulbring (c), Hencus van Wyk, Sidney Tobias, Juan Schoeman. Replacements: Arno van Wyk, Basil Short, Reniel Hugo, Roelof Smit, Kefentse Mahlo, Tian Schoeman, Ryan Nell. – Sapa