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Ludeke rings changes

Pretoria - Bulls coach Frans Ludeke has come up with a few interesting selections in the squad for the Super 14 rugby match against the Waratahs at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.

At open side flank, Deon Stegmann is rested and last year’s regular hooker Derick Kuun - a former flanker who has reverted there from hooker after the return of Gary Botha - gets his first run-on of the season at flank.

The other change to the starting XV sees the return of Danie Rossouw who was rested because of a blow to the neck during training last weekend. He is in place of No 8 Pierre Spies, who was injured last weekend but probably would have been able to play on Saturday.

“It’s early days, and not worth the risk playing Pierre,” said Ludeke at the team announcement o n Wednesday.

On the bench former Springbok utility player Jaco van der Westhuyzen is the preferred selection. He is, however, bracketed with John Mametsa pending the release from his Japanese club before Saturday.

Another welcome returnee is year-end Springbok Dewald Potgieter, who is on the bench in place of Fudge Mabeta with Rossouw able to cover at lock. Flip van der Merwe deservedly retains his place in the starting line-up after a very good performance last week.

Explaining the inclusion of Kuun ahead of Stegmann, who was outstanding in the two outings to date, Ludeke said it was always good to have to players of class in the same position.

It is merely a rest break for Stegmann and he had no doubt Kun would more than fill his boots.

About Van der Westhuyzen Ludeke said “it is always good to get a player into the system as quickly as possible. Jaco trained well this week, and his versatility is a great asset.”

The team is: Zane Kirchner, Gerhard van den Heever. Stephan Dippenaar, Wynand Olivier, Francois Hougaard, Morne Steyn, Fourie du Preez, Danie Rossouw, Pedrie Wannenburg, Derick Kuun, Victor Matfield (capt.), Flip van der Merwe, Werner Kruger, Gary Botha, Gurthro Steenkamp.

Substitutes: Bandise Maku, Bees Roux, Deon Stegmann, Dewald Potgieter, Heini Adams, Jacques-Louis Potgieter, Jaco van der Westhuyzen/John Mametsa.

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