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Bulls in backline shake-up

Bulls in backline shake-upBjorn Basson replaces Jamba Ulengo on the wing.

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Francois Brummer swaps jerseys with Tian Schoeman at flyhalf, with the latter moving to the bench.

Rudy Paige returns from injury. He replaces Piet van Zyl, who moves to the bench, with Ivan van Zyl dropping out from the team that won against the Southern Kings in Port Elizabeth last weekend.

The pack remains unchanged, but Marais tweaked his bench.

Lizo Gqoboka replaces Pierre Schoeman as back-up loosehead prop, Jaco Visagie comes in for Bandise Maku at hooker and Deon Stegmann takes over from Roelof Smit as the openside flank.

It will be Stegmann's first appearance in the competition after he recovered from injury.

The coach is happy to welcome back the likes for Springboks Basson and Paige and feels that this is the best team to face the Australians.

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Bulls: 15 Sarel Marais, 14 Travis Ismaiel, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Jan Serfontein, 11 Bjorn Basson, 10 Francois Brummer, 9 Rudy Paige, 8 Arno Botha, 7 Jannes Kirsten, 6 Pieter Labuschagne, 5 Rudolph Snyman, 4 Jason Jenkins, 3 Marcel van der Merwe, 2 Adriaan Strauss (captain), 1 Trevor Nyakane.

Replacements: 16 Jaco Visagie, 17 Lizo Gqoboka, 18 Werner Kruger, 19 Marvin Orie, 20 Deon Stegmann, 21 Piet van Zyl, 22 Tian Schoeman, 23  Dan Kriel.

Date: Saturday, April 16

Venue: Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria

Kick-off: 17.05 (15.05 GMT; 01.00, Sunday, April 17 AEST)

Referee: Angus Gardner (Australia)

Assistant referees: TBC, AJ Jacobs (South Africa)

TMO: Johan Greeff (South Africa)

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