Johannesburg – The Bulls made four changes to their team to face the Highlanders in their Super Rugby match on Friday.
Bulls coach Frans Ludeke named a new loose trio for the match following their 25-20 loss to the Hurricanes on the weekend, the second of the team's overseas trip, with Grant Hattingh, Jacques du Plessis and Jono Ross the preferred combination.
Ross and Du Plessis come in for the injured Deon Stegmann and Dewald Potgieter, while Hattingh comes in for Jacques Engelbrecht, who moves to the bench.
Victor Matfield will also start at lock, with Paul Willemse dropping to the bench.
The match will also mark the 100th Super Rugby match for Werner Kruger.
“It is great for Werner to play in his 100th match,” said Ludeke.
“He has been a real stalwart to the team since his debut in 2008 and has hardly put a foot wrong in all those seasons since.”
William Small-Smith is new on the bench, replacing Ulrich Beyers. If he takes to the field, Small-Smith will make his Super Rugby debut.
Bulls team: Jurgen Visser, Akona Ndungane, JJ Engelbrecht, Jan Serfontein, Bjorn Basson, Jacques-Louis Potgieter, Francois Hougaard, Grant Hattingh, Jacques du Plessis, Jono Ross, Victor Matfield, Flip van der Merwe (capt), Werner Kruger, Callie Visagie, Dean Greyling.
Replacements: Bongo Mbonambi, Marcel van der Merwe, Morne Mellett, Paul Willemse, Jacques Engelbrecht, Piet van Zyl, Handré Pollard, William Small-Smith. – Sapa