Bok boost for Bulls
The return of Currie Cup record try-scorer Bjorn Basson will boost the Blue Bulls ahead of their match against the Golden Lions at Ellis Park on Saturday.
Basson, who holds the record for most Currie Cup tries in a season, has been released by the Springboks for this match and will start on the left wing – where he replaces Sampie Mastriet.
It is one of four changes to the backline.
Clayton Blommetjies rotates with Jurgen Visser at fullback for his first start of the season, while Ulrich Beyers is fit again and will start ahead of Waylon Murray.
At flyhalf, Tony Jantjies replaces injured Handré Pollard.
Blue Bulls coach Pine Pienaar also recalled his most experienced lock, Wilhelm Steenkamp, to the starting pack.
Fit-again Werner Kruger will start at tighthead prop, with Frik Kirsten on the bench.
Bandise Maku also makes a first start this season – in place of the injured Bongi Mbonambi.
Regular Blue Bulls Under-21 hooker Jaco Visagie has been included on the bench and could make his debut if called upon.
Blue Bulls: 15 Clayton Blommetjies, 14 Akona Ndungane, 13 Ulrich Beyers, 12 Francois Venter, 11 Bjorn Basson, 10 Tony Jantjies, 9 Rudi Paige, 8 Jono Ross (captain), 7 Jacques du Plessis, 6 Wiaan Liebenberg, 5 Wilhelm Steenkamp, 4 Paul Willemse, 3 Werner Kruger, 2 Bandise Maku, 1 Morné Mellett.
Replacements: 16 Jaco Visagie, 17 Frik Kirsten, 18 Grant Hattingh, 19 Jacques Engelbrecht, 20 Lohan Jacobs, 21 William Small-Smith, 22 Jurgen Visser.
Date: Saturday, September 21
Venue: Ellis Park, Johannesburg
Kick-off: 17.05 (15.05 GMT)
Referee: Stuart Berry
Assistant referees: Ben Crouse, Cobus Wessels
TMO: Tappe Henning
