Potgieter starts as Bulls rotate
Wed, 10 Mar 2010 14:09
Emerging Springbok captain Dewald Potgieter will start in his first Super 14 match of the season, when the Bulls take on the Highlanders at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.
Potgieter came off the bench against the Waratahs two weeks ago after a knee strain ruled him out of the Bulls first two fixtures.
The 23-year-old flank replaces stalwart Pedrie Wannenburg, who moves to the bench, from where he will earn his 102nd cap.
Captain Victor Matfield will lead the side for the 50th time and will play in his 99th game of Super Rugby.
Coach Frans Ludeke welcomed back a fit-again Pierre Spies at No.8, where he will partner Potgieter and Derick Kuün, who will start for a second consecutive week at open side.
Deon Stegmann is still on the bench, along with four other forwards.
He is joined there by Flip van der Merwe, who moves down for Danie Rossouw, who shifts to lock after starting at No.8 against the Waratahs a fortnight ago.
Prop Rossouw de Klerk is on the bench for the first time after a training ground accident ruled out Bees Roux.
Scrumhalf Heini Adams drops out of the match 22 to gain playing time for the Blue Bulls.
"We have Francois Hougaard who can cover at No.9, should anything happens to Fourie du Preez," coach Frans Ludeke explained.
"Heini needs a full game and we both felt that it will be best served if he plays for the Cup side this weekend," Ludeke said.
"The selection of Derick at open side is also part of the rotational understanding we have.
"All the players, Deon [Stegmann] included, accept this policy," Ludeke said.
Bulls: 15 Zane Kirchner, 14 Gerhard van den Heever, 13 Stephan Dippenaar, 12 Wynand Olivier, 11 Francois Hougaard, 10 Morné Steyn, 9 Fourie du Preez, 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 Rossouw de Klerk, 18 Flip van der Merwe, 19 Deon Stegmann, 20 Jacques-Louis Potgieter, 21 Jaco van der Westhuyzen, 22 Pedrie Wannenburg.
Date: Saturday, March 13
Venue: Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
Kick-off: 17.05 (15.05 GMT)
Referee: Jonathan Kaplan (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Pro Legoete (South Africa), Christie du Preez (South Africa)
TMO: Johann Meuwesen (South Africa)
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