Bulls welcome back Hougaard

Pretoria - The Bulls have made five changes to their team to face the Highlanders in their Super Rugby match at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.

Kick-off is at 17:05.

Scrumhalf Francois Hougaard will make his return to the starting line-up for the first time since injuring his ankle in March. He replaces the in-form Jano Vermaak, who will supply cover from the bench.

Rising star Jan Serfontein has also recovered from an injury and will slot in at inside centre next to JJ Engelbrecht in the midfield.

Serfontein replaces Wynand Olivier, while Lionel Mapoe shifts to the wing in the place of Bjorn Basson.

In the two changes among the forwards, Frik Kirsten and Morne Mellett exchange places with Werner Kruger and Dean Greyling.

Meanwhile, Bulls captain Pierre Spies will become the Pretoria franchise's seventh player to turn out in 100 Super Rugby matches.

Teams:

Bulls:

15 Jurgen Visser, 14 Akona Ndungane, 13 JJ Engelbrecht, 12 Jan Serfontein, 11 Lionel Mapoe, 10 Morne Steyn, 9 Francois Hougaard, 8 Pierre Spies (captain), 7 Dewald Potgieter, 6 Deon Stegmann, 5 Juandre Kruger, 4 Flip van der Merwe, 3 Frik Kirsten, 2 Chiliboy Ralepelle, 1 Morne Mellett

Substitutes: 16 Callie Visagie, 17 Werner Kruger, 18 Grant Hattingh, 19 Arno Botha, 20 Jano Vermaak, 21 Louis Fouche, 22 Bjorn Basson

Highlanders:

TBA