Stormers v Bulls: Teams
Lock Bakkies Botha misses out on facing the Stormers, who could find themselves in top spot by Saturday night.
Last Updated: 10/06/11 12:24pm
The Stormers could have the chance to take over at the Super Rugby summit by the time they kick-off against the Bulls on Saturday.
The hosts welcome their fellow South Africans to Newlands knowing that if the Reds lose at the Western Force earlier in the day, they could go top.
Even if Queensland triumph on their travels, the Stormers could still move level with the current leaders if they claim a bonus point and their rivals fail to do so.
As for team news, young fly-half Kurt Coleman will once again wear the No.10 jersey for the Stormers.
Peter Grant had been expected to return after missing several weeks due to an injured ankle but he has been deemed unfit to face the Bulls.
The backline is subsequently unchanged but there are two alterations to the pack; Deon Fourie and Andries Bekker return at hooker and lock respectively.
One change
The Bulls, who themselves are fighting for their lives in the battle to reach the play-offs, make just one forced switch from the line-up that started the win over the Waratahs last time out.
Danie Roussouw moves from flanker to lock in place of the injured Bakkies Botha, who is sidelined with a knee problem.
Dewald Potgieter, who started among the replacement against the 'Tahs last week, slots back into the No.7 jersey while Derick Kuün moves onto the bench.
"Bakkies was due to play in his 100th game, so there is a lot of experience lost, but Danie will play in his 115th match," coach Frans Ludeke said.
"Dewald started with this loose trio in ten of our matches this year, so slots into an established unit. We have good momentum and we will back ourselves in this one."
Stormers: 15 Conrad Jantjes, 14 Gio Aplon, 13, Jaque Fourie, 12 Jean de Villiers, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Kurt Coleman, 9 Ricky Januarie, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Francois Louw, 6 Schalk Burger (c), 5 Andries Bekker, 4 Rynhardt Elstadt, 3 Brok Harris, 2 Deon Fourie, 1 Wicus Blaauw.
Replacements: 16 Tiaan Liebenberg, 17 Steven Kitshoff, 18 Frans Malherbe, 19 Anton van Zyl, 20 Nick Koster, 21 Dewaldt Duvenage, 22 Juan de Jongh.
Bulls: 15 Zane Kirchner, 14 Gerhard van den Heever, 13 Jaco Pretorius, 12 Wynand Olivier, 11 Bjorn Basson, 10 Morné Steyn, 9 Francois Hougaard, 8 Pierre Spies, 7 Dewald Potgieter, 6 Deon Stegmann, 5 Victor Matfield (c), 4 Danie Rossouw, 3 Werner Kruger, 2 Gary Botha, 1 Dean Greyling.
Replacements: 16 Chiliboy Ralepelle, 17 Rossouw de Klerk, 18 Flip van der Merwe, 19 Derick Kuün, 20 Dustin Jinka, 21 Francois Brummer, 22 Stephan Dippenaar.
