Bulls name team to face Highlanders
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Photo Anton Geyser /Rugby15.
The Vodacom Bulls recalled experienced midfielder Wynand Olivier, loose forward Dewald Potgieter and prop Dean Greyling for Saturday’s Super Rugby clash against the Highlanders in Dunedin.
The match in the Forsyth Barr Stadium will see Morné Steyn becoming the sixth player from the franchise to play 100 Super Rugby matches.
Olivier replaces Francois Venter and Potgieter comes in for injured Deon Stegmann from the side that beat the Waratahs in Sydney last week, having both been declared fit for the match. Greyling returns to the side after he missed the Waratahs clash due to maternity leave and replace Dawie Steyn.
Potgieter joined the squad on Sunday after recovering from a hamstring strain and Olivier was rested against the Waratahs in order to recover from bruised ribs.
The Vodacom Bulls will play in the Forsyth Barr Stadium for the first time and arrive in Dunedin as overall log leaders, something that would spur on the opposition, Vodacom Bulls coach Frans Ludeke said.
“We worked hard to be on top of the log, but the reality is that teams will be coming harder at us than before. The Highlanders had two disappointing results in their last outings and will come out to knock us over, no doubt. We have picked up good momentum from our Australian leg of our tour and can welcome back three experienced campaigners, so if we focus on our own game and play to our strengths, we will be competitive.”
Ludeke was pleased for Steyn.
“He is such a humble person and the ultimate team player. I know that he would prefer a win on the day as the best form of celebration for this fantastic achievement.”
Vodacom Bulls captain Pierre Spies said the Steyn milestone will spur on the rest of the team.
“We can only try and reward Morné in the best way possible and that is to beat the Highlanders and remain on top of the log. They are a difficult side to play and we have battled against them at home in the past, but we know what we can do if we execute well on the day.”
The team to play the Highlanders (with Super caps) is:
Zane Kirchner (64), Akona Ndungane (77), Johann Sadie (15), Wynand Olivier (95), Bjorn Basson (35), Morné Steyn (99), Francois Hougaard (38), Pierre Spies (82, c), CJ Stander (10), Dewald Potgieter (47), Juandré Kruger (10), Flip van der Merwe (42), Werner Kruger (68), Chiliboy Ralepelle (45), Dean Greyling (23).
Replacements: Willie Wepener (46), Rayno Gerber (36), Wilhelm Steenkamp (45), Arno Botha (7), Jano Vermaak (81), Louis Fouché (6), JJ Engelbrecht (10).
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