Johannesburg – Bulls’ coach Frans Ludeke made three changes to his starting pack of forwards for Saturday’s Super Rugby clash against the Lions at Ellis Park.
Jacques Engelbrecht moves from the bench to start at number eight, and Grant Hattingh moves to lock in place of Victor Matfield, who is being rested.
In another rotational swap, Marcel van der Merwe will start at tighthead, with Werner Kruger playing off the bench.
Wimpie van der Walt replaces Engelbrecht on the bench, where there is also a return for Louis Fouche. The flyhalf will replace Handre Pollard, who is captaining the Junior Springboks in New Zealand.
William Small-Smith is also back after illness and replaces Ulrich Beyers on the bench.
Ludeke said he hoped to keep up a winning run in the competition.
“We have to win every remaining match, so are keen to keep on the winning track. It will also be important for us to go into the break with some momentum,” he said.
“We have made some minor changes and I believe we will be competitive against a team that will be very dangerous at home. We cannot afford to let them dominate the pace of the match or the style of play.”
Bulls team: Jurgen Visser, Akona Ndungane, JJ Engelbrecht, Jan Serfontein, Bjorn Basson, Jacques-Louis Potgieter, Francois Hougaard, Jacques Engelbrecht, Jacques du Plessis, Jono Ross, Grant Hattingh, Flip van der Merwe (captain), Marcel van der Merwe, Callie Visagie, Dean Greyling.
Replacements: Bongi Mbonambi, Werner Kruger, Morne Mellett, Paul Willemse, Wimpie van der Walt, Piet van Zyl, Louis Fouche, William-Small Smith. – Sapa