Bulls rush all their Boks back
The Bulls have named 14 Springboks in the starting XV to face the Cheetahs in Pretoria on Saturday.
Outside centre JJ Engelbrecht – who was part of the Bok squad for the June Tests but never played – is the only uncapped player in the starting line-up, as the Bulls resume their charge towards a possible play-off spot, with games against the Cheetahs (at home this week), the Sharks (away) and Lions (at home) to come.
Bulls coach Frans Ludeke has made one change to the starting XV that last featured before the break, with new Bok Jacques Potgieter replacing Ireland-bound CJ Stander – who moves to the bench in the place of Arno Botha.
Potgieter made his debut for the Springboks against England in Port Elizabeth last weekend and will be hoping to continue with the impressive form he showed earlier in the season.
Potgieter, who picked up a knee injury during their overseas leg of the competition, just missed out on selection for the match against the Stormers on June 2 and is the only change to the starting team from that day.
Fit-again Frik Kirsten comes onto the bench in the only other change, replacing Rayno Gerber. The versatile prop has recovered from a fractured hand, also sustained on the Australian leg of the overseas tour.
Ludeke admitted that they were entering a difficult and crucial phase of the competition, but dismissed fears that some of his players had lost form, or been over-played, during the three-week international period in June.
"We are lucky to have all our players back from international duty injury-free and ready to go," Ludeke said.
"The series win against England will do wonders for their confidence, while those not involved with the Boks are refreshed and ready to go.
"Our Springboks are not international players for nothing, they have the mental strength to recover quickly from disappointing performances."
This was a sentiment echoed by captain Pierre Spies, who played in his 50th Test for the Springboks last weekend.
"You learn to put the mistakes behind you and to work harder if things did not go your way," Spies said.
"We have little option but to keep on winning to stay in contention for the play-offs.
"There is certainly enough energy and expectation in the squad to do exactly that. It is great to be back in blue and to play in front of our passionate supporters," the Bulls skipper added.
Bulls: 15 Zane Kirchner, 14 Akona Ndungane, 13 JJ Engelbrecht, 12 Wynand Olivier, 11 Bjorn Basson, 10 Morné Steyn, 9 Francois Hougaard, 8 Pierre Spies (captain), 7 Jacques Potgieter, 6 Dewald Potgieter, 5 Juandre Kruger, 4 Flip van der Merwe, 3 Werner Kruger, 2 Chiliboy Ralepelle, 1 Dean Greyling.
Replacements: 16 Willie Wepener, 17 Frik Kirsten, 18 Wilhelm Steenkamp, 19 CJ Stander, 20 Jano Vermaak, 21 Louis Fouché, 22 Francois Venter.
Date: Saturday, June 30
Venue: Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
Kick-off: 19.10 (17.10 GMT)
Referee: Marius Jonker (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Sindile Mayende (South Africa), Cobus Wessels (South Africa)
TMO: Johann Meuwesen (South Africa)
