PRETORIA - The Bulls are hoping that a return back home to their fortress Loftus Versfeld will see them turnaround a beleaguered season that has been marred with five losses from their six matches.
In effort to get back the three time Super Rugby champions to winning ways coach Nollis Marais has made five changes to his team to play against the Jaguares at Loftus on Saturday.
Springbok fullback Jesse Kriel makes a return to the number 15 jersey in place of Warrick Gelant with Springbok halfbacks Piet van Zyl and Handre Pollard also elevated back into the starting line-up.
There has also been a change in the second row with Springbok lock Lood de Jager returning after his mandatory rest to replace Jason Jenkins, and at loosehead prop Pierre Schoeman swaps with Lizo Gqoboka who drops to the bench.
Bulls captain Adriaan Strauss doesn’t want his team to fall victim to the illusion that being at home will be enough to win them the game against the Jaguares and that they will need to fix the errors that have hampered them throughout the season.
“Loftus won’t win you the game but we are very excited to be back, this is a special place,” said Strauss.
“Great legends have played here before us and we don’t want to let them down and the supporters. Loftus definitely won’t do it for us on the day but we know the responsibility we’ve got when we play at Loftus. It’s good to be back and we are very positive about the weekend.”
Bulls team:
Jesse Kriel, Travis Ismaiel, Jan Serfontein, Burger Odendaal, Jamba Ulengo, Handre Pollard, Piet van Zyl, Hanro Liebenberg, Jannes Kirsten, Nic de Jager, Lood de Jager, RG Snyman, Trevor Nyakane, Adriaan Strauss (captain), Pierre Schoeman. Replacements: Jaco Visagie, Lizo Gqoboka, Martin Dreyer, Jason Jenkins, Marnus Schoeman, Rudy Paige, Tian Schoeman, Warrick Gelant.