Bulls v Crusaders: Teams

Bulls coach Frans Ludeke has recalled his big stars for the Super 14 semi-final clash with the Crusaders.

The table-toppers fielded a second-string side for the trip to the Stormers having already secured a place in the last four.

But Ludeke makes wholesale changes for the crucial knockout contest, as he is able to include all his first-team regulars bar the suspended Gerhard van den Heever and Bakkies Botha.

Van den Heever's absence allows veteran Jaco van der Westhuyzen a rare chance in the starting line-up.

Daniel Rossouw will partner Victor Matfield in the second row after Botha was slapped with a four-week ban after a dangerous tackle on Stormers wing Gio Aplon.

Unique

The semi-final will have a unique flavour as it takes place at Soweto's Orlando Stadium rather than Loftus Versfield, which is out of action ahead of the football World Cup.

"It's a great stadium, and it may be a first time for us, but if you see the players walking around, they are taking pictures and really enjoying the experience," Bulls captain Victor Matfield said.

"This game is great for our country, and it is great that rugby comes to Soweto, especially if we want to grow the game in all areas of the country.

"To see the game sold out is amazing, and we're expecting a mini-Loftus on Saturday.

"The pitch is soft and fast, and this is our home game. We will do whatever we need to to win the game on Saturday."

Light training

Crusaders coach Todd Blackadder has named Dan Carter and prop Ben Franks in the starting line-up despite the pair carrying niggling injuries.

The duo have only taken part in light training since arriving in South Africa but they are expected to be fully involved in sessions later in the week.

It means the New Zealanders retain the XV that defeated Brumbies 40-22 in their final Super 14 game, with former All Black chris Jack again starting from the bench.

The only change in the 22 sees scrum-half Kahn Fotuali'i replace Willi Heinz after he missed last weekend's match for breahcing team protocol.

The match has been switched to Soweto from Loftus Versfield to allow the latter to recover in time for the football World Cup.

"We've had a light training workload so far this week but will step it up a little on Thursday," assistant coach Daryl Gibson said. "We will have a captain's run at the stadium on Friday.

"We've heard good things about the stadium in Soweto. FIFA are using it as a training venue for the football World Cup so the surface is apparently very good."

Bulls: 15 Zane Kirchner, 14 Jaco van der Westhuyzen, 13 Jaco Pretorius, 12 Wynand Olivier, 11 Francois Hougaard, 10 Morné Steyn, 9 Fourie du Preez, 8 Pierre Spies, 7 Dewald Potgieter, 6 Deon Stegmann, 5 Victor Matfield (c), 4 Danie Rossouw, 3 Werner Kruger, 2 Gary Botha, 1 Gurthrö Steenkamp
Replacements: 16 Bandise Maku, 17 Bees Roux, 18 Flip van der Merwe, 19 Derick Kuün, 20 Jacques-Louis Potgieter, 21 Stephan Dippenaar, 22 Pedrie Wannenburg.

Crusaders: 15 Colin Slade, 14 Sean Maitland, 13 Robbie Fruean, 12 Daniel Bowden, 11 Zac Guildford, 10 Daniel Carter, 9 Andy Ellis, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Richie McCaw (c), 6 George Whitelock, 5 Sam Whitelock, 4 Brad Thorn, 3 Ben Franks, 2 Ti'i Paulo, 1 Owen Franks.
Replacements: 16 Daniel Perrin, 17 Wyatt Crockett, 18 Chris Jack, 19 Thomas Waldrom, 20 Kahn Fotuali'i, 21 Tim Bateman, 22 Jared Payne.