New signing Walt Steenkamp will make his first start for the Vodacom Bulls in their derby against the Lions in Johannesburg on Saturday.
Steenkamp recently linked up with the Bulls after finishing his commitments with the Cheetahs and coach Jake White has brought him straight into a starting lineup that has just the one change from the win against the Stormers.
The 25-year-old slots in at No 5 in the absence of former Junior Springbok Ruan Nortje, who is being rested due to an injury niggle.
Steenkamp has stuck his hand up with some fantastic performances for the Cheetahs at the start of the competition and now gets his opportunity to fire in a team enjoying their current brand of play.
The rest of the team remains unchanged, with White keeping faith in the forwards and backs who did a good job against the Stormers team last weekend.
‘The players have done well in correcting the ship after a slow start against the Griquas and Cheetahs, which is testament to their desire to go the whole nine yards and secure silverware,’ White said.
‘However, our job is not yet done and we will have to have our wits about us when we face the Lions who will be confident after a strong performance last weekend.’
Bulls – 15 David Kriel, 14 Travis Ismaiel, 13 Stedman Gans, 12 Cornal Hendricks, 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 10 Morne Steyn, 9 Ivan van Zyl, 8 Duane Vermeulen (c), 7 Elrigh Louw, 6 Marco van Staden, 5 Walt Steenkamp, 4 Jason Jenkins, 3 Trevor Nyakane, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 1 Jacques van Rooyen.
Subs: 16 Joe van Zyl, 17 Gerhard Steenekamp, 18 Marcel van der Merwe, 19 Sintu Manjezi, 20 Nizaam Carr, 21 Embrose Papier, 22 Chris Smith, 23 Marco Jansen van Vuren.
