Bulls make two changes for Stormers clash

PRETORIA - The Bulls have made two changes to their starting line-up to play against the Stormers in their final Super Rugby outing of the season at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.

Pierre Schoeman will start at loosehead prop ahead of Lizo Gqoboka, who is struggling with headaches, and flank Shaun Adendorff will make his first start in Super Rugby ahead of Ruan Steenkamp, who drops to the bench.

Springbok prop Trevor Nyakane also makes a return to the match-day 23 after spending the last two weeks on the sidelines due to a wrist injury, along with scrumhalf Piet van Zyl, who has recovered from a lung infection.

Flyhalf Tony Jantjies has been included on the bench after missing out on the match against the Southern Kings because of a rib injury.

Saturday’s derby will not only be the Bulls’ last game of what has been a dismal season, but also that of Springbok centre Jan Serfontein and Schoeman before they both head off to France.

Bulls coach Nollis Marais will also be in charge of his last Super Rugby match after being relieved of his duties last month, with former All Blacks coach John Mitchell set to take over from next week.

“It has been a good week. We sat down on Monday and I told the guys that this is not what we planned for this season, and we’ve let the fans down. Obviously there is change coming, but we have let the fans down and it’s not nice.

“But we want to finish off strongly, make the people proud, play good rugby and do our utmost to win on Saturday. It is still a derby. As I said to the players, I started against the Stormers and I finish against the Stormers, and we are just looking forward to the game,” said Marais.

Bulls Team

Warrick Gelant, Travis Ismaiel, Jesse Kriel, Jan Serfontein, Duncan Matthews, Tian Schoeman, Rudy Paige, Nic de Jager, Jannes Kirsten, Shaun Adendorff, RG Snyman, Jason Jenkins, Conraad van Vuuren, Adriaan Strauss (captain), Pierre Schoeman.