PRETORIA – The Bulls have made six changes to their team, including handing wing Sibahle Maxwane his Super Rugby debut for their clash against the Lions at Ellis Park on Saturday.
Maxwane, who starred for Tuks in their Varsity Cup triumph, will start on the wing ahead of the injured Jamba Ulengo, while Springbok centre Jan Serfontein returns to the starting line-up to partner Burger Odendaal in the midfield.
Jesse Kriel moves to fullback in place of Warrick Gelant, while the Bulls will have a new halfback pairing as Francois Brummer starts at pivot and Rudy Paige takes over the duties at scrumhalf from Piet van Zyl, who is out with a lung infection.
Springbok lock Lood de Jager will start in the second row alongside Jason Jenkins and replaces RG Snyman, who copped a four-week ban this week for a red card received against the Highlanders.
On the bench, Bulls coach Nollis Marais has made few changes, with former Junior Springbok lock Abongile Nonkontwana set to make his Super Rugby debut if called on to play.
The Bulls have only won three of their 10 matches so far this season, while the Lions have lost just one out of 11, and return from Australia after winning all three tour games.
Bulls Team
Jesse Kriel, Jade Stighling, Jan Serfontein, Burger Odendaal, Sibahle Maxwane, Francois Brummer, Rudy Paige, Hanro Liebenberg (captain), Jannes Kirsten, Ruan Steenkamp, Lood de Jager, Jason Jenkins, Trevor Nyakane, Jaco Visagie, Lizo Gqoboka.
Bench: Edgar Marutlulle, Pierre Schoeman, Conraad van Vuuren, Abongile Nonkontwana, Nic de Jager, Ivan van Zyl, Tony Jantjies, Warrick Gelant.