Willie le Roux will start at flyhalf for the Bulls against the Stormers, with another Springbok in Canan Moodie being brought into the starting line-up as well for Saturday’s huge United Rugby Championship clash at the Cape Town Stadium (2pm start).
Coach Jake White made the big call on Friday to start Le Roux – normally a fullback – in the No 10 jersey ahead of Boeta Chamberlain, with Johan Goosen sidelined by a knee injury.
Bok veteran Le Roux produced a second-half cameo in the recent 35-22 victory over the Lions at Ellis Park, and has been entrusted to call the shots from the start in the Cape.
Springbok wing Moodie – who will earn his 50th Bulls cap – has played off the bench in recent games, but has been elevated into the No 14 jersey in place of Sebastian de Klerk, who moves to the bench.
The other major selection decision from White came in the front row, where Jan-Hendrik Wessels will start at loosehead prop ahead of fellow Bok Gerhard Steenekamp, who will hope to make a big impact in the second half.
Marcell Coetzee will take over the captaincy from the injured Ruan Nortjé and Elrigh Louw, with youngster JF van Heerden slotting in at No 5 lock and Reinhardt Ludwig coming in at blindside flank.
Bulls Team
15 Devon Williams 14 Canan Moodie 13 David Kriel 12 Harold Vorster 11 Sergeal Petersen 10 Willie le Roux 9 Embrose Papier 8 Cameron Hanekom 7 Reinhardt Ludwig 6 Marcell Coetzee (captain) 5 JF van Heerden 4 Cobus Wiese 3 Wilco Louw 2 Johan Grobbelaar 1 Jan-Hendrik Wessels.
Bench: 16 Akker van der Merwe 17 Gerhard Steenekamp 18 Francois Klopper 19 Ruan Vermaak 20 Nizaam Carr 21 Zak Burger 22 Boeta Chamberlain 23 Sebastian de Klerk.
Stormers Team
15 Warrick Gelant 14 Ben Loader 13 Wandisile Simelane 12 Dan du Plessis 11 Leolin Zas 10 Jurie Matthee 9 Stefan Ungerer 8 Evan Roos 7 Ben-Jason Dixon 6 Deon Fourie 5 Ruben van Heerden 4 Salmaan Moerat (captain) 3 Frans Malherbe 2 Joseph Dweba 1 Sti Sithole.
Bench: 16 André-Hugo Venter 17 Brok Harris 18 Sazi Sandi 19 Gary Porter 20 Marcel Theunissen 21 Herschel Jantjies 22 Jonathan Roche 23 Clayton Blommetjies.