Bulls v Waratahs: Teams

Rossouw: Rewarded for his brace

Danie Rossouw starts for the Bulls in Friday's showdown with the Waratahs at Loftus Versfeld.

Flanker Rossouw scored two tries off the bench against the Cheetahs last weekend and has been rewarded for his form with a place in the pack.

"Danie has done the job for us as an impact player and ball carrier and we believe he will again make an important contribution when he comes out to start," said Bulls coach Frans Ludeke.

The home side will hope to have Akona Ndungane available, though the winger faces a race against time to be ready.

Ndungane picked up a shoulder injury during the 32-21 win over the Cheetahs over the weekend, but the Bulls' medical staff will only decide later this week if he is fit enough to play.

Meanwhile, Ludeke has decided to pick Gary Botha at hooker, meaning Chiliboy Ralepelle has to make do with being amongst the replacements.

Much-changed 'Tahs

Waratahs will field a much-changed line-up against the Bulls, partly due to injuries to Sekope Kepu and Ryan Cross.

Both players have returned back to Sydney to have treatment on knee problems they picked up in last weekend's loss to the Sharks.

Al Baxter returns to the starting XV in place of Kepu, while Cross's absence has resulted in a reshuffle of the backline.

Daniel Halangahu has retained the number 10 jersey, so Berrick Barnes has been named to start at inside centre. Tom Carter will be alongside him in the midfield.

There is a change of roles for captain Dean Mumm, who switches to flanker for the first time this season, with Kane Douglas picked to partner Sitaleki Timani in the second row.

"Loftus is one of the great grounds in world rugby and the Bulls have one of the most parochial crowds in the competition," said Waratahs coach Chris Hickey.

"Put those together and it creates a very special atmosphere which I know the players will enjoy."

Bulls: 15 Zane Kitchener, 14 Akona Ndungane/Gerhard van den Heever, 13 Jaco Pretoruis, 12 Wynand Olivier, 11 Bjorn Basson, 10 Morne Steyn, 9 Francois Hougaard, 8 Pierre Spies, 7 Danie Rossouw, 6 Deon Stegmann, 5 Victor Matfield (c), 4 Bakkies Botha, 3 Werner Kruger, 2 Gary Botha, 1 Dean Greyling.
Replacements: 16 Chiliboy Ralepelle, 17 Rossouw de Klerk, 18 Flip van der Merwe, 19 Dewald Potgieter, 20 Dustin Jinka, 21 Francois Brummer, 22 Gerhard van den Heever/Stephan Dippenaar.

Waratahs: 15 Kurtley Beale, 14 Lachie Turner, 13 Tom Carter, 12 Berrick Barnes, 11 Sosene Anesi, 10 Daniel Halangahu, 9 Luke Burgess, 8 Ben Mowen, 7 Chris Alcock, 6 Dean Mumm [c], 5 Kane Douglas, 4 Sitaleki Timani, 3 Al Baxter, 2 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 1 Benn Robinson.
Replacements: 16 John Ulugia, 17 Paddy Ryan, 18 Pat O'Connor, 19 Dave Dennis, 20 Hugh Perrett, 21 Brendan McKibbin, 22 Atieli Pakalani.