Hurricanes v Bulls: Teams

The Hurricanes head to Napier on Saturday boosted by the return of winger Hosea Gear for the clash with the Bulls.

New Zealand international Gear has not appeared since the opening round of the Super Rugby season after injuring his shoulder against the Highlanders.

His comeback is a timely boost for the 'Canes, who are currently without Piri Weepu (ankle), Karl Lowe (knee), Laurence Corlett (calf), Rodney So'oialo (lower back) and Alapati Leiua (knee) through injury.

Saturday's match will see the franchise play in Hawke's Bay for the first time since 2003.

Hougaard back

The Bulls make three changes for the fixture at McLean Park, including a return to the starting line-up for Francois Hougaard.

Zane Kirchner comes in at full-back in place of Jaco van der Westhuyzen while Gary Botha gets the nod in the front row ahead of Chiliboy Ralepelle.

Danie Rossouw misses out altogether as he is on paternity leave. He did not travel with the rest of the team to New Zealand on Tuesday, but will join up with his colleagues next week ahead of the game against the Crusaders.

Coach Frans Ludeke will be looking for his players to clinch a third straight win on the road this season, having previously beaten the Lions and Cheetahs.

Hurricanes: 15 Cory Jane, 14 Julian Savea, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Ma'a Nonu, 11 Hosea Gear, 10 Daniel Kirkpatrick, 9 Chris Eaton, 8 Victor Vito, 7 Serge Lilo, 6 Jack Lam, 5 Jason Eaton, 4 Jeremy Thrush, 3 Neemia Tialata, 2 Andrew Hore (capt), 1 John Schwalger.
Replacements: 16 Dane Coles, 17 Jacob Ellison, 18 James Broadhurst, 19 Mark Reddish, 20 Tyson Keats, 21 Aaron Cruden, 22 Charlie Ngatai.

Bulls: 15 Zane Kirchner, 14 Bjorn Basson, 13 Jaco Pretorius, 12 Wynand Olivier, 11 Francois Hougaard, 10 Morné Steyn, 9 Fourie du Preez, 8 Pierre Spies, 7 Dewald Potgieter, 6 Deon Stegmann, 5 Victor Matfield (capt), 4 Bakkies Botha, 3 Werner Kruger, 2 Gary Botha, 1 Dean Greyling.
Replacements: 16 Chiliboy Ralepelle, 17 Roussouw de Klerk, 18 Flip van der Merwe, 19 Derick Kuün, 20 Francois Brummer, 21 Gerhard van den Heever, 22 Jaco van der Westhuyzen.