The Bulls have suffered a crucial blow ahead of their crunch Super Rugby clash against the Lions on Saturday, with hooker Schalk Brits ruled out due to injury.
The Springbok front-rower sustained a concussion in last week’s 24-24 draw with the Highlanders in Dunedin, and has not been cleared to play.
Jaco Visagie will wear the No. 2 jersey as one of six changes to the Bulls side, with Johan Grobbelaar on the bench.
Fortunately, for Bulls coach Pote Human, Springbok flank Marco van Staden has passed his concussion protocols and will pack down at No. 6 in what is effectively a knockout match for the Super Rugby quarterfinals.
Of the trans-Jukskei derby, Human says: “The nice thing about this weekend is that we have our fate in our own hands and do not have to worry about results elsewhere.
“We can go out and apply our minds to the job at hand.”
Bulls:
15 Warrick Gelant 14 Cornal Hendricks 13 Johnny Kotze 12 Burger Odendaal 11 Rosko Specman 10 Handre Pollard (captain) 9 Andre Warner 8 Duane Vermeulen 7 Hanro Liebenberg 6 Marco van Staden 5 RG Snyman 4 Jannes Kirsten 3 Trevor Nyakane 2 Jaco Visagie 1 Lizo Gqoboka.
Replacements:
16 Johan Grobbelaar 17 Simphiwe Matanzima 18 Wiehahn Herbst 19 Eli Snyman 20 Ruan Steenkamp 21 Ivan van Zyl 22 Manie Libbok 23 Divan Rossouw