Victor Matfield returns to lead the Bulls’ side for Friday’s Super 14 match against the Crusaders in Christchurch in one of a number of changes to the squad that went down to the Highlanders on Saturday — and Bryan Habana is back on the wing.
The selected match-22 are obviously aimed at strengthening the side in the areas where they were found wanting in last weekend’s loss.
Matfield, who has fully recovered from a shoulder injury, replaces Danie Rossouw, who was outstanding last weekend. Rossouw moves to flank in the place of Pedrie Wannenburg, who in turn takes Jacques Burger’s place on the bench.
Habana comes in for Gerhard van den Heever after sitting out the past few matches because of injury.
In the front row Chiliboy Ralepelle takes over from Derick Kuün, who has been earmarked as the flank replacement in an obvious effort to offset the loss of suspended fetcher Deon Stegmann. Kuün was a top-class fetcher before being moved to hooker.
His inclusion as No 19 on the replacement bench allows the Bulls the inclusion of Jaco Engels and Rayno Gerber as front-row forwards for the match. It is another interesting selection in view of the scrumming problems encountered against the Highlanders.
With the shuffling of the pack and on the bench, lock Wilhelm Steenkamp drops from the 22-man squad as does Van den Heever, with halfbacks Heini Adams and Burton Francis and JP Nel being the backline replacements. — Sapa