Bulls v Stormers: Teams

Under-fire Stormers coach Rassie Erasmus has opted for fly-half Willem de Waal's superior kicking game against the Bulls over Peter Grant's attack-minded approach on Saturday.

In other changes to the back-line, Nick Koster comes in for Fijian Sireli Naqelevuki on the wing while Percy Montgomery retains his place at full-back in the absence of the injured Conrad Jantjes.

Dewaldt Duvenhage also replaces Bolla Conradie as cover for Ricky Januarie at scrum-half.

In the forwards, Erasmus has picked AJ Venter in place of Adriaan Fondse for what should be an intense forward battle. Prop Wikus Blaauw is included to replace the injured JD Moller, who has failed to recover from a shoulder injury.

Schalk Burger is struggling with a calf injury but will be given until Friday to prove his fitness.

Impact player

Bulls coach Frans Ludeke has named Victor Matfield on the bench for the visit of Stormers, whilst the young winger Gerhard van den Heever comes in for the injured Bryan Habana.

Matfield's shoulder injury is something of the past and after training with the team on Tuesday, the selectors were happy with his recovery meaning his role against the Stormers will be that of an impact player.

Van den Heever is an U20 player who has been training with the Bulls for the past five months and Ludeke is convinced that he will be able to do the job against the Stormers.

"Gerhard played for us in the warm-up matches and I am confident that he will do well for us," he said.

JP Nel will get a chance to start at outside centre as a result of the Bulls' rotation policy and with him in the number thirteen jersey, Jaco Pretorius will be on the bench.

With Dewald Potgieter on the sideline, Pedrie Wannenburg starts in the number seven jersey and the hard-working Namibian, Jacques Burger, will be the loose forward reserve.

Bulls: 15 Zane Kirchner, 14 Akona Ndungane, 13 JP Nel, 12 Wynand Olivier, 11 Gerhard van den Heever, 10 Morné Steyn, 9 Fourie du Preez (c), 8 Pierre Spies, 7 Pedrie Wannenburg, 6 Deon Stegmann, 5 Danie Rossouw, 4 Bakkies Botha, 3 Werner Kruger, 2 Chiliboy Ralepelle, 1 Gurthrö Steenkamp.
Replacements: 16 Derick Kuün, 17 Rayno Gerber, 18 Victor Matfield, 19 Jacques Burger, 20 Heini Adams, 21 Burton Francis, 22 Jaco Pretorius.

Stormers: 15 Percy Montgomery, 14 Tonderai Chavhanga, 13 Gcobani Bobo, 12 Jean de Villiers (c), 11 Nick Koster, 10 Willem de Waal, 9 Ricky Januarie, 8 Luke Watson, 7 Duane Vermeulen, 6 Schalk Burger, 5 Andries Bekker, 4 AJ Venter, 3 Brian Mujati, 2 Schalk Brits, 1 Wicus Blaauw.
Replacements: 16 Deon Fourie, 17 Schalk Ferreira, 18 Adriaan Fondse, 19 Francois Louw, 20 Dewaldt Duvenhage, 21 Peter Grant, 22 Sireli Naqelevuki.