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Pretoria - Bulls coach Frans Ludeke made only one change to the side that beat the Crusaders in last weekend’s semi-final, for the Super 14 final against the Stormers at Orlando Stadium on Saturday.
Gerhard van den Heever, who has served his suspension for a dangerous tackle, returns on the wing in place of veteran Jaco van der Westhuyzen who drops to the bench in place of Stephan Dippenaar.Ludeke has again decided to go with a 5-2 bench in stead of the traditional four forwards and three backs. This is made possible by the versatility of the backs where Jacques-Louis Potgieter can cover at flyhalf and centre and Van der Westhuyzen is at home at flyhalf, wing and fullback. Francois Hougaard will take over at scrumhalf if the need arises.
There were some concerns with injuries and Heini Adams was in fact on standby as replacement scrumhalf with Hougaard’s injured hand causing concern.
However, the man who would have to take over should Fourie du Preez have to be replaced has been cleared to play, as have Danie Rossouw (neck spasm), Wynand Olivier (knee) and Du Preez (shoulder).
Bulls captain Victor Matfield, said he hoped the rest they had the Saturday before last and which stood them in good stead last weekend, will come through again.
“This week is all about planning en preparing properly,” said the experienced captain who led his side to two Super 14 titles in three seasons. He has also experienced lifting the Currie Cup as captain and holding the World Cup as player and vice-captain.
The Bulls won’t have a run at Orlando Stadium this week. They are happy they know the field after having trained there last weekend and playing the semi-final there - and the field and its atmosphere can be an unpleasant surprise for the Stormers who have not played there before.
Bulls: 15. Zane Kirchner, 14. Gerhard van den Heever, 13. Jaco Pretorius, 12. Wynand Olivier, 11. Francois Hougaard, 10. Morne Steyn, 9. Fourie du Preez, 8. Pierre Spies, 7. Dewald Potgieter, 6. Deon Stegmann, 5. Victor Matfield (capt), 4. Danie Rossouw, 3. Werner Kruger, 2. Gary Botha, 1. Gurthro Steenkamp.
Substitutes: 16. Bandise Maku, 17. Bees Roux, 18. Flip van der Merwe, 19. Derick Kuun, 20. Jacques-Louis Potgieter, 21. Jaco van der Westhuyzen, 22. Pedrie Wannenburg.
