Bulls v Highlanders - Super Rugby match preview
The Bulls have named five changes to their squad ahead of Saturday's Super Rugby clash with the Highlanders in Pretoria.
Last Updated: 17/05/13 10:19am
Jan Serfontein is back in Frans Ludeke's starting XV as he gets the nod at inside centre ahead of Wynand Olivier.
Winger Lionel Mapoe comes back into the side to start on the left as Bjorn Basson is reduced to the bench while Francois Hougaard is preferred to Jano Vermaak at scrum-half.
In the front row props Frik Kirsten and Morne Mellett replace Werner Kruger and Dean Greyling who both featured in the Bulls 48-14 victory against the Hurricanes last time out.
Following a ninth defeat of the Super Rugby campaign last weekend Jamie Joseph has made three changes to his Highlanders squad to visit Loftus Versfeld.
Jamie Mackintosh comes into the starting line-up at loose-head prop with Tony Woodcock demoted to the bench.
The Highlanders are without Josh Bekhuis who sustained a shoulder injury during the 34-27 loss to the Southern Kings meaning Jarrad Hoeata starts at lock.
Flanker Joe Wheeler is set to start on the blindside with Mose Tuiali'i taking the number eight jersey which leaves TJ Ioane amongst the replacements.
Bulls: 15 Jürgen Visser, 14 Akona Ndungane, 13 JJ Engelbrecht, 12 Jan Serfontein, 11 Lionel Mapoe, 10 Morné Steyn, 9 Francois Hougaard, 8 Pierre Spies (capt), 7 Dewald Potgieter, 6 Deon Stegmann, 5 Juandré Kruger, 4 Flip van der Merwe, 3 Frik Kirsten, 2 Chiliboy Ralepelle, 1 Morné Mellet.
Replacements: 16 Callie Visagie, 17 Werner Kruger, 18 Grant Hattingh, 19 Arno Botha, 20 Jano Vermaak, 21 Louis Fouchè, 22 Bjorn Basson.
Highlanders: 15 Ben Smith, 14 Tino Nemani, 13 Tamati Ellison, 12 Shaun Treeby, 11 Hosea Gear, 10 Colin Slade, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Mose Tuiali'i, 7 John Hardie, 6 Joe Wheeler, 5 Jarrad Hoeata, 4 Brad Thorn, 3 Chris King, 2 Andrew Hore (capt), 1 Jamie Mackintosh.
Replacements: 16 Liam Coltman, 17 Tony Woodcock, 18 Elliot Dixon, 19 TJ Ioane, 20 Fumiaki Tanaka, 21 Hayden Parker, 22 Jason Emery.