Stegmann returns for Bulls
Springbok Deon Stegmann will make his first competition appearance for the Bulls this year, when they host the Blues at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.
The other big news is that veteran wing Akona Ndungane will become the ninth Bulls player to play 100 Super Rugby matches for the franchise.
The stalwart wing made his Super Rugby debut way back in 2005 against the Cats and earned his 50th cap for the Bulls in 2009, playing against the Reds in Pretoria.
Ndungane, who scored against the Blues in last year's win in Auckland, will start in an unchanged backline.
There are three changes, all three in the forward pack.
Werner Kruger comes into the tighthead position for Frik Kirsten, who is suffering from a sore back.
Stegmann has recovered from a groin strain and will replace Jono Ross at No.6. Ross moves to No.8 in place of Grant Hattingh.
Coach Frans Ludeke also made one change on the bench.
A fit-again Morné Mellett will make his first appearance for the team this year, replacing Kirsten.
"We are quite pleased to have Steggies [Stegmann] back," the coach said.
"He is an experienced campaigner and is not a Springbok for nothing. The Blues thrive on quick ball and Steggies will play a big role for us in slowing their ball down and creating turnovers," Ludeke added.
"It also allows Jono to move to his more natural position at the back of the scrum."
Ludeke was full of praise for Ndungane.
"What a player to have in your side. He had to work so hard to get back into rugby after suffering two broken legs in a row and I think I speak on behalf of everyone in congratulating him on this milestone in his career. He has been exceptional for us and I am privileged to be his coach," Ludeke said.
Ndungane will join other centurions for the franchise like Victor Matfield (119), Bakkies Botha (100), Pierre Spies (103), Wynand Olivier (108), Fourie du Preez (112), Pedrie Wannenburg (113), Danie Rossouw (116) and Morné Steyn (123).
Fellow wing Bjorn Basson will play in his 50th match for the Bulls. He also played nine times in Cheetahs colours. The wing, who holds the Bulls try-scoring record in a season, made his Bulls debut against the Lions in 2011.
Matfield will play in his 128th match at this level, a South African record. He has played in 119 matches for the Bulls and eight for the Cats.
Bulls: 15 Jurgen Visser, 14 Akona Ndungane, 13 JJ Engelbrecht, 12 Jan Serfontein, 11 Bjorn Basson, 10 Jacques-Louis Potgieter, 9 Francois Hougaard, 8 Jono Ross, 7 Jacques du Plessis, 6 Deon Stegmann, 5 Victor Matfield, 4 Flip van der Merwe (captain), 3 Werner Kruger, 2 Callie Visagie, 1 Dean Greyling.
Replacements: 16 Bongi Mbonambi, 17 Morné Mellett, 18 Marcel van der Merwe, 19 Paul Willemse, 20 Jacques Engelbrecht, 21 Piet van Zyl, 22 Handré Pollard, 23 Ulrich Beyers.
Date: Saturday, March 8
Venue: Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
Kick-off: 17.05 (15.05 GMT; 04.00, Sunday, March 9 NZ time)
Referee: Andrew Lees (Australia)
Assistant referees: Marius van der Westhuizen (South Africa), Sieg van Staden (South Africa)
TMO: Johan Greeff (South Africa)
