Pretorius back to partner Olivier in Bulls midfield
Wynand Olivier
Bulls coach Frans Ludeke has made only change to the side that struggled to a 19-18 win over the Hurricanes last Friday for the Super 14 match against the Western Force in Perth on Saturday.
Jaco Pretorius returns as outside centre and replaces Stephan Dippenaar in the number 13 jersey to resume a very profitable midfield combination with fellow Springbok Wynand Olivier.
Pretorius last played in the opening week of the Super 14 when he was injured in the win over the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein.
Dippenaar took his place and stood his ground well, with the 22-year-old scoring his first try of the competition against the Waratahs.
“It is great to have Jaco back,” coach Frans Ludeke said in announcing the team.
“He is one of the senior players and offer us a lot, especially on attack. I am very happy with Stephan, as he took his chances well when given the opportunity. It is good to know we have that kind of depth in the squad.”
Ludeke indicated that Fourie du Preez will be fit to start after injury worries early in the week.
Captain Victor Matfield, who ran out for his 100th Super 14 match last weekend, this weekend captains the Bulls for the 52nd time in a Super 14 clash. He thereby equals the record of another Springbok captain Corne Krige.
The Bulls team (with Super caps) is: Zane Kirchner (31), Gerhard van den Heever (9), Jaco Pretorius (22), Wynand Olivier (62), Francois Hougaard (8), Morne’ Steyn (63), Fourie du Preez (90), Pierre Spies (46), Dewald Potgieter (22), Deon Stegmann (30), Victor Matfield (100), Danie Rossouw (93), Werner Kruger (33), Gary Botha (64), Gurthrö Steenkamp.
Replacements: Bandise Maku (12), Bees Roux (21), Flip van der Merwe (11), Derick Kuün (47), Jacques-Louis Potgieter (22), Jaco van der Westhuyzen (48), Pedrie Wannenburg (103).
[SAPA]
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