JJ Harmse

Pretoria – Most of his team-mates from the past eight weeks may be resting this weekend, but Chiliboy Ralepelle got the good news on Tuesday that he will run out in the Bulls’ No 2 jersey against the Cheetahs.

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Ralepelle was still serving his country in the Green and Gold at Vodacom Park last week, but this time he will be heading there to help the Blue Bulls achieve the important goal of a Currie Cup win over Free State in Bloemfontein.

“It’s a nice birthday gift for me,” said Ralepelle, who turned 24 on Saturday.

“I started my first Test against Italy this year and ran on against the Leopards in the Currie Cup, so I’m also looking forward to this one.

“Adriaan Strauss and I have a come a long way and enjoy playing against one another. We’ll probably clash heads once or twice, but there will always be another scrum to put things right,” Ralepelle said with a broad grin.

The hooker said that the Blue Bulls would like to keep the momentum that was built against the Sharks.

“Everybody realises it will be a tough one, but we’re not going there to lose.”

The inclusion of Ralepelle is one of at least six changes that are expected when coach Frans Ludeke announces his side on Wednesday.

Stefan Watermeyer will be picked as inside centre again in place of Wynand Olivier, who is not available due his Springbok contract. However, that will be the only forced change at the back.

Francois Hougaard returns at scrumhalf in place of Ruan Snyman.

Up front Ludeke is forced to replace the injured Dewald Potgieter and Fudge Mabeta.

CJ Stander will play flank in Potgieter’s place and the returning Flip van der Merwe will wear the No 4 jersey.

Werner Kruger, who could not play against the Sharks because of an ankle injury, is fit again and will pack down on the tighthead next to Ralepelle.

Frik Kirsten, who replaced Kruger on short notice, is not being considered due to an injured chest. Rossouw de Klerk is set to be the reserve tighthead.

With Gary Botha fit again, Bandise Maku loses his place in the squad.

Deon Stegmann will only be considered next week.

A possible Bulls team:
Zane Kirchner, Gerhard van den Heever, Jaco Pretorius, Stefan Watermeyer, Jaco van der Westhuyzen, Jacques-Louis Potgieter, Francois Hougaard, Gerrit-Jan van Velze, CJ Stander, Derick Kuün (captAIN), Juandré Kruger, Flip van der Merwe, Werner Kruger, Chiliboy Ralepelle, Dean Greyling.
Substitutes Gary Botha, Jaco Engels, Rossouw de Klerk, Wilhelm Steenkamp, Okkie Kruger, Dustin Jinka, Stephan Dippenaar.