Ludeke sticks with beaten XV

Pretoria - Blue Bulls coach Frans Ludeke has retained the same starting side that lost to the Sharks last weekend for Saturday's Currie Cup match against the Free State Cheetahs at Loftus.

In the only change to the match-22, lock Juandre Kruger is back after injury as a replacement in place of Berend Botha.

The match is a repeat of last year's Currie Cup final at the same venue which was won by the Blue Bulls.

Ludeke says his team will have to be more clinical in their execution than they were against the Sharks.

He expects the Free State Cheetahs to play a similar game to the Blue Bulls which is based on territory. The Bulls will therefore have to be solid under the high ball, he said at the team announcement.

Teams:

Blue Bulls:

15. Jaco van der Westhuyzen, 14. Gerhard van den Heever, 13. Stephan Dippenaar, 12. Stefan Watermeyer, 11. John Mametsa, 10. Jacques-Louis Potgieter, 9. Ruan Snyman, 8. Gerrit-Jan van Velze, 7. Derick Kuun, 6. Deon Stegmann, 5. Fudge Mabeta, 4. Wilhelm Steenkamp, 3. Werner Kruger, 2. Gary Botha (captain), 1. Dean Greyling

Substitutes: 16. Bandise Maku, 17. Bees Roux, 18. Juandre Kruger, 19. CJ Stander, 20. Danie Faasen, 21. Francois Brummer, 22. Hayden Groepes

Free State Cheetahs:

15. Hennie Daniller, 14. Philip Snyman, 13. Robert Ebersohn, 12. Corné Uys, 11. Jongi Nokwe, 10. Louis Strydom, 9. Tewis de Bruyn, 8. Ashley Johnson, 7. Juan Smith, 6. Hendro Scholtz (Captain), 5. Barend Pieterse, 4. Izak van der Westhuizen, 3. Willem Petrus (WP) Nel, 2. Adriaan Strauss, 1. Coenie Oosthuizen

Substitutes: 16. Skipper Badenhorst, 17. Kobus Calldo, 18. Waltie Vermeulen, 19. Kabamba Floors, 20. Tertius Carse, 21. Sias Ebersohn, 22. JW Jonker