JOHANNESBURG – Former Springbok captain Adriaan Strauss will return to lead the Bulls in their Super Rugby clash against the Hurricanes at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.
Strauss who has sat out the past two weeks because of a foot injury takes over the captaincy from Hanro Liebenberg and will start at number two in place of Jaco Visagie who drops to the bench.
Another change to the Bulls front row will see Jacobie Adriaanse start at tighthead prop ahead of Trevor Nyakane, who is struggling with a shoulder injury while the remainder of the pack of forwards stays the same.
Springbok lock Lood de Jager will be making his 50th Super Rugby appearance having played most of his games for the Cheetahs before moving to the Bulls at the end of last year.
Bulls coach Nollis Marais has been forced into making some changes in his backline due to injuries with Springbok utility Jesse Kriel moving to wing in place of the injured Sibahle Maxwane, while Duncan Matthews will make his Super Rugby debut on the wing as a replacement for another injured wing in Jade Stighling.
Warrick Gelant has been elevated to the starting line-up at fullback, while Tian Schoeman makes a return to the team to start at flyhalf in place of Francois Brummer.
Bulls Squad
Warrick Gelant, Duncan Matthews, Jan Serfontein, Burger Odendaal, Jesse Kriel, Tian Schoeman, Rudy Paige, Hanro Liebenberg, Jannes Kirsten, Ruan Steenkamp, Lood de Jager, Jason Jenkins, Jacobie Adriaanse, Adriaan Strauss (captain), Lizo Gqoboka.
Replacements:
Jaco Visagie, Pierre Schoeman, Conraad van Vuuren, Abongile Nonkontwana, Nic de Jager, Ivan van Zyl, Tony Jantjies, Ulrich Beyers.