Springbok tourist Heini Adams will make a rare Super 14 start, when the Bulls take on the Lions in a Round 11 match at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.
Rugby 365 reports that it will be his first start in the competition this year.
Adams, who played in two midweek games on the Boks’ year-end tour in 2009, replaces Bok veteran Fourie du Preez – who is rested and will make a contribution from the bench if needed.
Springbok utility Jaco Pretorius is also back from injury and will combine with Wynand Olivier in the midfield in the only other change to the starting XV.
Pretorius, who fractured an eye socket against the Blues in Week Eight, replaces Stephan Dippenaar, who played against the Chiefs and Reds.
Bulls coach Frans Ludeke said that Du Preez has a “shoulder niggle” and this has contributed to the decision to “rest him” on the bench.
“This is an ideal opportunity to use the squad system,” Ludeke told rugby365.com.
“It is also a great opportunity for Heini, who is a quality player and a Springbok. We are looking forward to see him produce a top class performance,” he added.
Bulls: 15 Zane Kirchner, 14 Gerhard van den Heever, 13 Jaco Pretorius, 12 Wynand Olivier, 11 Francois Hougaard, 10 Morné Steyn, 9 Heini Adams, 8 Pierre Spies, 7 Dewald Potgieter, 6 Derick Kuün, 5 Victor Matfield (captain), 4 Danie Rossouw, 3 Werner Kruger, 2 Gary Botha, 1 Gurthrö Steenkamp.
Replacements: 16 Bandise Maku, 17 Bees Roux, 18 Flip van der Merwe, 19 Deon Stegmann, 20 Fourie du Preez, 21 Jacques-Louis Potgieter, 22 Pedrie Wannenburg.
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I would have thought Victoria would get a rest. On Saturday he was to tired to even glare at the refereee. Didn’t I see an article that said bakkies was back? Why isn’t he being played off the bench and let VD Merwe and Rossouw start.
Players all get niggles when they play against crap teams
@provincejoulekkading (Comment 2) :
niggles is a synonym for injured.
good for Heini. He is a good player, but I guess it’s difficult to overtake Fairie in the picking order.
Heini should really consider moving to another union where he’d get more game time. He will do well at the Cheetahs. Or its time to cash in by getting an overseas contract.
@wpw (Comment 5) : the problem is that all the unions have established scrummies.
sharks: pienaar, rockott, & thousand others
stormers: duvenhage & mechanic
lions: vermaak
cheetahs: de bruyn & hopefully starting pretorius
@wpw (Comment 5) : Even Griquas has an established scrummie.
If I was a Nulle fan (which I gladly am not) I’d be very nervous about Saturday’s game…..can anyone remember how old tannie Carlos almost single handedly created 2 tries in 5 mins?
Might we witness the resurgence of the not so mighty snoiL this weekend?
If I was a Nulle fan, I’d be very nervous this Staurday.
Bulls by baie. Baie, baie.
@FireTheLooser (Comment 8) : suuuue (sigh) fortunately, we are past snoiL
@McLovin (Comment 9) : Is that Dexter…the picture I mean?
@FireTheLooser (Comment 11) : Dexter? THE Dexter? Nope not him. But he’s one of my heroes Dexter. 😈
Never thought of having him as my pic. Might do later on. 😎
@McLovin (Comment 12) : Okay, yeah his face will suite your horror themed avi’s quite nicely. 😀