Bulls v Highlanders : Preview
South Africa lock Bakkies Botha has been ruled out of Saturday's clash with the Highlanders.
By Tony Curtis
Last Updated: 03/03/11 3:24pm
South Africa lock Bakkies Botha has been ruled out of Saturday's clash with the Highlanders.
Botha damaged his knee in the win over the Cheetahs, so Danie Rossouw comes into the starting XV, with Juandre Kruger named on the bench.
The Bulls will be looking to maintain their winning record at Loftus, with the side having registered 18 consecutive victories.
The Highlanders have made three changes for the trip to Pretoria.
Robbie Robinson, Siale Piutau and Chris King come into the line-up, with Lima Sopoaga, James Paterson and David Te Moana missing out.
There are also places on the bench for journeyman Tony Brown and Tom Donnelly.
Bulls: 15 Zane Kirchner, 14 Gerhard van den Heever, 13 Jaco Pretoruis, 12 Wynand Olivier, 11 Bjorn Basson, 10 Morne Steyn, 9 Fourie du Preez, 8 Pierre Spies, 7 Dewald Potgieter, 6 Deon Stegmann, 5 Victor Matfield (capt), 4 Danie Rossouw, 3 Werner Kruger, 2 Chiliboy Ralepelle, 1 Gurthro Steenkamp.
Replacements: 16 Derick Kuun, 17 Rossouw de Klerk, 18 Flip van der Merwe, 19 Juandre Kruger, 20 Ruan Snyman, 21 Francois Brummer, 22 Stephan Dippenaar.
Highlanders: 15 Ben Smith, 14 Siale Piutau, 13 Kendrick Lynn, 12 Shaun Treeby, 11 Kade Poki, 10 Robbie Robinson, 9 Jimmy Cowan, 8 Nasi Manu, 7 Alndo Soakai, 6 Adam Thomson, 5 Josh Bekhuis, 4 Jarrod Hoeata, 3 Chris King, 2 Jason Rutledge, 1 Jamie Mackintosh (c)
Replacements: 16 Brayden Mitchell, 17 Bronson Murray, 18 Tom Donnelly, 19 John Hardie, 20 Aaron Smith, 21 Tony Brown, 22 Telusa Veainu.
