Cape Town - Tukkies No 8 Jean Cook is likely to make his Super Rugby debut for the Bulls from the substitutes bench against the Force in Pretoria on Saturday, reports the Beeld website.

After injuries to Deon Stegmann (hamstring) and Dewald Potgieter (knee) the Bulls are somewhat depleted in the openside flank position.

Arno Botha, who is more comfortable at No 8 or blindside flank, will in all likelihood wear the No 6 jersey on Saturday, with Cook probably making his debut from the bench.

On Monday Cook was withdrawn from Tuks' Varsity Cup side which was an indication that the Bulls are interested in utilising him. Tuks clearly felt his absence as they lost 18-16 to Maties in Pretoria.

The Bulls' clash against the Force at Loftus Versfeld kicks off at 17:05 on Saturday.

The Bulls are currently second in the South African Conference after beating the Stormers 25-17 last Friday.

The Force had a poor start to the competition, losing their first two games to the Rebels in Melbourne (30-23) and Kings (22-10) in Port Elizabeth.

Probable Bulls team for Saturday:

15 Zane Kirchner, 14 Akona Ndungane, 13 Lionel Mapoe, 12 Wynand Olivier, 11 Bjorn Basson, 10 Morné Steyn, 9 Francois Hougaard, 8 Pierre Spies (captain), 7 Jacques Potgieter, 6 Arno Botha, 5 Juandré Kruger, 4 Flip van der Merwe, 3 Werner Kruger, 2 Chiliboy Ralepelle, 1 Morné Mellett

Substitutes: 16 Willie Wepener, 17 Frik Kirsten, 18 Grant Hattingh, 19 Jean Cook, 20 Jano Vermaak, 21 Louis Fouché, 22 Swys Venter