Bulls select unchanged side to battle Blues
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Blue Bulls
Bulls coach Frans Ludeke has named an unchanged starting XV for their Super 14 encounter against the Blues in Auckland on Saturday.
The only worry for the defending champions surrounds the fitness of Derick Kuun, who has a slight hamstring strain.
The loose forward has nonetheless been included on the bench, but will face a late fitness test on Friday. Jaco Engels is the player placed on standby for the week-eight clash at Eden Park.
Utility back Jaco van der Westhuyzen could earn a 50th cap in Super Rugby after being named on the bench.
The Pretoria franchise, who have won all six of their games so far this season, currently lead the table by five points over the second-placed Stormers after their 28-15 win over the Western Force last week.
“We started the tour on the right note. We expected a tough Force side, as they are a proud team,” said captain Victor Matfield.
“Victory is important and we will hope to continue next week.”
Ludeke added: “As always, we take this game for game and this week we will focus on a very dangerous Blues team.
“It will take an enormous effort to overcome them in Auckland.”
Bulls: 15 Zane Kirchner, 14 Gerhard van den Heever, 13 Jaco Pretorius, 12 Wynand Olivier, 11 Francois Hougaard, 10 Morné Steyn, 9 Fourie du Preez, 8 Pierre Spies, 7 Dewald Potgieter, 6 Deon Stegmann, 5 Victor Matfield (c), 4 Danie Rossouw, 3 Werner Kruger, 2 Gary Botha, 1 Gurthrö Steenkamp.
Replacements: 16 Bandise Maku, 17 Bees Roux, 18 Flip van der Merwe, 19 Derick Kuün, 20 Jacques-Louis Potgieter, 21 Jaco van der Westhuyzen, 22 Pedrie Wannenburg.
Date: Saturday April 3
Venue: Eden Park, Auckland
Time: 17.30 (04.30 GMT)
Referee: Craig Joubert (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Jonathon White (New Zealand), Matthew Stanish (New Zealand)
TMO: Ben Skeen (New Zealand)
[ Info from Planetrugby.com]
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