Bulls v Lions: Teams

Coach Dick Muir has been forced to make two changes to his Lions team ahead of Saturday's fixture against the Bulls at Loftus Versfeld.

Injuries have forced Muri to replace Doppies la Grange with Walter Venter at inside centre, while Derick Minnie comes in for American number eight Todd Clever.

Venter, back from injury, will now partner Marius Delport, who played centre and wing for the Bulls last season. Delport is keen to prove his worth against the side that he probably feels didn't give him enough opportunities.

Carlos Spencer, who was not selected but ran on in a surprise late decision by Muir last week, retains his place at full-back after a good performance against the Sharks and Michael Killian is again on the wing, to where he was moved to accommodate Spencer.

An expected change sees Springbok Heinke van der Merwe miss out on the Super 14 squad after being included in the Vodacom Cup side for Friday's quarter-final against the Free State Cheetahs.

He was on the bench last weekend, but Muir has brought in Kevin Buys to cover the front row and also promoted Vodacom Cup captain Justin Wheeler on the bench.

Heini Adams will make a rare start ahead of the rested Fourie du Preez for the Bulls on Saturday.

It will be the scrum-half's first start in the Super 14 competition this year as the rested Du Preez settles for a place on the replacements bench.

Jaco Pretorius is also back to combine with Wynand Olivier in the midfield. He replaces Stephan Dippenaar, who played at the Reds.

Bulls: 15 Zane Kirchner, 14 Gerhard van den Heever, 13 Jaco Pretorius, 12 Wynand Olivier, 11 Francois Hougaard, 10 Morné Steyn, 9 Heini Adams, 8 Pierre Spies, 7 Dewald Potgieter, 6 Derick Kuün, 5 Victor Matfield (capt), 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 Deon Stegmann, 20 Fourie du Preez, 21 Jacques-Louis Potgieter, 22 Pedrie Wannenburg.

Lions: 15 Carlos Spencer, 14 Michael Killian, 13 Marius Delport, 12 Walter Venter, 11 Wandile Mjekevu, 10 Herkie Kruger, 9 Jano Vermaak, 8 Derick Minnie, 7 Wikus van Heerden, 6 Cobus Grobbelaar (capt), 5 Franco van der Merwe, 4 Nico Luus, 3 Gert Muller, 2 Hans van Dyk, 1 JC Janse van Rensburg.
Replacements: 16 Hannes Franklin, 17 Kevin Buys, 18 Wouter Moore, 19 Justin Wheeler, 20 Chris Jonck, 21 Deon van Rensburg, 22 Tonderai Chavhanga.