Lions v Bulls: Teams

The Lions are waiting on Heinke van der Merwe's appeal for the visit of the Bulls on Saturday.

The prop was handed a one-match ban for a dangerous tackle against the Sharks - however he has been named in the Lions starting XV as the club wait to hear the result of his appeal.

Should van der Merwe's ban be upheld, Lawrence Sephaka will switch to loosehead and Gert Muller will be promoted from the bench. JC Janse van Rensburg is on standby to provide front-row cover.

Lions coach Eugene "Loffie" Eloff has named both Andre Pretorius and Divan Kotze in the 21 shirt, with a late call set to be made on who will get the nod.

Ernst Joubert, though, will definitely start in the South African derby.

Bulls coach Frans Ludeke has made a single change to the team that thrashed the Blues by including Chiliboy Ralepelle at hooker for Saturday's clash in Johannesburg.

With Ralepelle in the starting XV, Derick Kuün will be used as an impact player and will ride the bench alongside Rayno Gerber, who has recovered from his groin injury.

Ludeke said that Ralepelle was given a start in line with the team's rotation policy, noting how privileged the Bulls are to have two high-quality hookers available

"In order to do well in the Super 14 you need two first-rate players in each position and I think the match against the Lions is a great opportunity for Chiliboy to show his worth," said the coach.

Lions: 15 Louis Ludik, 14 Ashwin Willemse, 13 Jaque Fourie, 12 Doppies la Grange, 11 Henno Mentz, 10 Earl Rose, 9 Jano Vermaak, 8 Willem Alberts, 7 Ernst Joubert, 6 Cobus Grobbelaar (c), 5 Gerhard Mostert, 4 Anton van Zyl, 3 Lawrence Sephaka / Gert Muller, 2 Willie Wepener, 1 Heinke van der Merwe / Lawrence Sephaka.
Replacements: 16 Hans van Dyk, 17 Gert Muller / JC Janse van Rensburg, 18 Franco van der Merwe, 19 Todd Clever, 20 Chris Jonck, 21 Andre Pretorius / Divan Kotze, 22 Jannie Boshoff

Bulls: 15 Zane Kirchner, 14 Akona Ndungane, 13 Jaco Pretorius, 12 Wynand Olivier, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Morné Steyn, 9 Fourie du Preez (c),8 Pierre Spies, 7 Dewald Potgieter, 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 Wilhelm Steenkamp, 19 Pedrie Wannenburg, 20 Heini Adams, 21 Burton Francis, 22 JP Nel.