Bull rested: Saturday's news
Victor Matfield will not start for the Bulls against the Crusaders this weekend.
Bulls boss Heyneke Meyer has made the surprise decision to leave squad captain Victor Matfield on the bench for Saturday's trip to the Crusaders.
Matfield, a domineering force in the second row, has been rested by Meyer with Francois van Shouwenburg given the nod in Christchurch.
The skipper's armband will go to half-back Fourie du Preez as the Bulls look to put 10 points between themselves and the reigning champions in the Super 14 table.
Meyer's other change is enforced due to JP Nel's suspension, so Marius Delport comes in for his first start of the campaign.
Jaco van der Westhuizen continues at full-back in the absence of Johan Roets, whose place in the squad is taken by former Bath man Frikkie Welsh.
Meyer admits further late changes are still in the offing as Bryan Habana and Gary Botha fight hamstring injuries.
The Crusaders also make two changes as Robbie Deans continues to rotate his side following the heartbreaking 27-26 loss to the Sharks in Durban.
Andrew Ellis and Ben Franks are granted 'rests' on the Canterbury bench, with Kevin Senio and Wyatt Crockett called in at scrum-half and loosehead respectively.
Hamstring victim Rua Tipoki is still not ready to return despite a two-week recovery period, meaning teenage talent Tim Bateman continues to operate at 12.
Stephen Brett will be asked to orchestrate things from stand-off as the Crusaders refuse to rush their All Blacks stars back into action, although Rico Gear does appear on the wing.
The Stormers are able to recall full-back Brent Russell for their trip to Sydney to face the Waratahs this weekend.
Russell missed last week's 26-13 loss to the Brumbies due to concussion, but he will take Gio Aplon's place in the 22 after being cleared by doctors.
Coach Kobus van der Merwe's other alteration sees the timely return of Brok Harris to the front row, following his recovery from an ankle problem.
Harris comes in for Eddie Andrews, whose Australasian tour comes to an early conclusion courtesy of a broken nose.
Tommy Dixon is promoted to the 22 as cover, while Robbie Diack and Dyland Des Fountain are also involved at the expense of Francoise van der Merwe and Egon Seconds, who also returns home with a troublesome hamstring.
The Waratahs have opted for an all-Wallaby international centre-pairing at Aussie Stadium, with Morgan Turinui and Lote Tuqiri filling the midfield.
The duo will have Super 14 debutant Lachlan Turner outside of them, and Turinui revealed he is excited about the prospect of playing alongside Tuqiri.
"I play my best football in the centres and I'm looking forward to shifting closer to the action," he told Planet Rugby website.
"Both Lote and I love to run the ball so I think we'll form a solid partnership."
The back row also sees changes as David Lyons comes in for his first appearance at number eight, while Beau Robinson makes only his second start at openside.
Sam Norton-Knight switches to the wing to allow Josh Valentine to work off of the scrum, while fit-again Tatafu Polota-Nau comes onto the bench.
With team patterns well-established by now the Sharks feature just two changes for Saturday's visit of the Hurricanes to Durban.
Coach Dick Muir, whose side boasts the only 100 percent winning record, rests captain John Smit is a straight swap that sees young hooker Bismarck du Plessis promoted from the bench.
Muir's other change sparks a back-row reshuffle, with Jacques Botes moving to number eight for the Absa Stadium encounter.
Botes fills the boots of Ryan Kankowski, who is given his first break of the season, while Warren Britz is drafted in at blindside.
Muir will now decide whether to leave Kankowski in the matchday 22, or to select the in-form Bobby Skinstad as loose forward cover.
Springbok international Percy Montgomery needs one more week of recuperation, so Francois Steyn continues at full-back with JP Pietersen on the left wing.
Former New Zealand captain Tana Umaga has been passed fit to play for the Hurricanes as they look to put the disappointment of last week's 18-17 defeat to Western Force behind them.
The dynamic centre had been suffering from an Achilles problem but he will start alongside Conrad Smith in Durban.
News of Umaga's presence will be of some relief to coach Colin Cooper, who keeps faith with young fly-half Blair Stewart ahead of the more travelled Jimmy Gopperth.
Cooper's only change is the introduction of Anthony Perenise in place of John Schwalger, which sees Neemia Tialata switch to loosehead.
Saturday's match is the last the Hurricanes will have to enter without their All Blacks stars, although Ma'a Nonu faces a longer spell out with a shin problem.
South African international Bevin Fortuin returns to the 15 jersey for the Cheetahs for their Round Seven match with the ACT Brumbies.
Fortuin has been recovering from knee surgery over the past month, playing his way into form in the Vodacom Cup, and now he ready for Super 14 action.
Tiger Mangweni drops out of the squad to make way for Fortuin at full-back, in a backline that is also boosted by the return of Meyer Bosman in place of Herkie Kruger at inside-centre.
Gavin Passens is also drafted into the line-up on the left wing as coach Rassie Erasmus utilises his squad, while Marius Joubert provides cover on the bench.
In the pack, Rory Duncan adds bulk in the second row, partnering Corniel van Zyl at the expense of Flip van der Merwe.
The Brumbies go with an all-Wallaby front row for their visit to Bloemfontein.
Nic Henderson is the man to come into the side alongside Guy Shepherdson and Jeremy Paul, with Salesi Ma'afu providing cover on the bench.
The Cheetahs are missing experienced prop CJ van der Linde from their scrum, and Henderson believes the Brumbies can exploit his absence.
"I think the absence of any 130-kilogram Springbok in their front row is a loss," Henderson told Planet Rugby website.
The Brumbies' only other minor alteration from the side that beat the Stormers 26-13 is the addition of Peter Playford to the bench - providing midfield cover for Stirling Mortlock and Gene Fairbanks.
