Super Rugby: Bulls v Chiefs preview
The Bulls will be hoping to round out a perfect month when they host reigning champions the Chiefs at Loftus Versfeld.
Last Updated: 28/03/14 10:32am
Frans Ludeke's side have recorded victories over the Lions, Blues and Sharks in March, with the hat-trick of successes all coming on home soil.
Akona Ndungane missed the 23-19 result against the Sharks on compassionate leave last time out, but returns to the wing this weekend. He is the only alteration for the hosts.
Victor Matfield will once again lead the Bulls in the absence of Flip van der Merwe last weekend, and the experienced lock knows it will be a tough challenge up against the Chiefs.
"They are not the champions for nothing," he said. "They are well-balanced with a lot of strike power at the back, but also have a solid and strong first phase in their play.
"We will have to be very accurate and use our changes if we want to be victorious."
Wholesale changes
The Chiefs arrive in Pretoria off the back of an 18-15 loss to the Western Force that saw them fail to manage a try, their first reverse of the season so far.
That result has led to wholesale changes to the team, including handing a debut to Anton Lienert-Brown on the wing.
Prop Pauliasi Manu, hooker Rhys Marshall, lock Matt Symons, openside flanker Tanerau Latimer and number eight Kane Thompson have been brought into the starting line-up for the forwards.
A minor hamstring injury means Tim Nanai-Williams is only fit enough for a seat on the bench. Andrew Horrell takes his starting berth at outside centre.
Bulls: 15 Visser, 14 Ndungane, 13 Engelbrecht, 12 Serfontein, 11 Basson, 10 Potgieter, 9 Hougaard; 1 Dean Greyling, 2 Callie Visagie, 3 Werner Kruger, 4 Werner Kruger, 5 Matfield (capt), 6 Stegmann, 7 du Plessis, 8 Potgieter
Replacements: 16 Mbonambi, 17 Mellet, 18 Van der Merwe, 19 Hattingh, 20 Ross, 21 Van Zyl, 22 Pollard, 23 Beyers.
Chiefs: 15 Muliaina, 14 Lienert-Brown, 13 Horrell, 12 Marshall, 11 Tikoirotuma, 10 Cruden (capt), 9 Kerr-Barlow; 1 Manu, 2 Marshall, 3 Tameifuna, 4 Symons, 5 Retallick, 6 Messam, 7 Latimer, 8 Thompson
Replacements: 16 Schwalger, 17 Mackintosh, 18 Afeaki, 19 Fitzgerald, 20 Cane, 21 Pulu, 22 Anscombe, 23 Nanai-Williams
