Bulls retain winning formula
Bulls coach Frans Ludeke has named an unchanged starting XV for the Super Rugby derby encounter with the Stormers at Newland on Saturday.
Ludeke named the same team that demolished the Reds (61-8) last week to take on the Cape Town side, the first time this season that injuries did not force his hand.
He had to make a change on the bench though, where replacement hooker Willie Wepener was ruled out due to a infected nerve in his face.
Bongi Mbonambi will take his place and could earn a first Super Rugby cap if he gets a run. The 21-year-old is a regular starter in the Blue Bulls Vodacom Cup team.
* Meanwhile Springbok flyhalf Morné Steyn is the all-time leading South African points scorer in Super Rugby and could extend that record.
He has scored 1039 points (10 tries, 185 penalties, 184 conversions and 22 drop-goals) since his debut in 2005.
Fellow Bok, midfielder ?Wynand Olivier, is the most experience South African centre in Super Rugby and will play in his 91st match.
Ludeke said his side is well prepared and that the season is on track.
“We have done well last weekend against the defending Super champions, but now the only undefeated team in the competition waits. The Stormers are an established outfit with a lot of experience and it will take a massive effort from us to beat them at home.”
Bulls captain Pierre Spies said a north-south derby always demand a special effort from players.
“There is a lot of emotion involved. It is important for us to control those emotions, play in a clinical way and not allow it to impact on your options. We still have a long way to go in the competition, but this will be one of our greatest challenges.”
Bulls: 15 Zane Kirchner, 14 Akona Ndungane, 13 Johann Sadie, 12 Wynand Olivier, 11 Bjorn Basson, 10 Morné Steyn, 9 Francois Hougaard, 8 Pierre Spies (captain), 7 Jacques Potgieter, 6 CJ Stander, 5 Juandré Kruger, 4 Flip van der Merwe, 3 Werner Kruger, 2 Chiliboy Ralepelle, 1 Dean Greyling.
Replacements: 16 Bongi Mbonambi, 17 Frik Kirsten, 18 Wilhelm Steenkamp, 19 Arno Botha, 20 Jano Vermaak, 21 Louis Fouché, 22 JJ Engelbrecht.
Date: Saturday, March 31
Venue: Newlands, Cape Town
Kick-off: 19.10 (17.10 GMT)
Referee: Craig Joubert (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Stuart Berry (South Africa), Cobus Wessels (South Africa)
TMO: Johann Meuwesen * (South Africa)
