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Pretoria - Buoyed by an improved performance against the Reds, but still desperate or a victory, the Vodacom Bulls have made four changes (one positional) to their starting line-up for Saturday's final tour match in Perth.
Fourie du Preez returns at halfback after resting last week, to take charge again of the Bulls attack as the major change, meaning Francois Hougaard moves back out onto the wing in the place of Gerhard van den Heever.
Jaco Pretorius is included but could be a doubtful starter with a neck strain, with Stephan Dippenaar, who played last weekend in the 39-30 loss against the Reds, bracketed to replace him if he cannot pass a fitness test on Friday.
The last change sees Deon Stegmann return in a straight swop for Derick Kuun at openside flank, with the Bulls hoping this is the victory that kickstarts their late run in the defence of their title.
On the bench Jaco van der Westhuyzen replaces Akona Ndungane, a move mainly because of his versatility.
The Bulls have warned that this is a non-negotiable fixture, and know full well they need to win if they are to have any say in the playoffs later in the season.
It has been a miserable year by Bulls standards, and their four defeats in the competition this year have hurt them. Still, there was enough promise against the Reds, despite the obvious defensive frailties, to suggest the Bulls could just turn this one around.
Coach Frans Ludeke continued the mantra of working hard and being more accurate, saying his side were very close to hitting their straps.
"We're far beyond the point that this is a now or never moment," Ludeke told SuperSport.com.
"We know that we have enough class in this team and if we make minor adjustments, we are not far away from hitting form and creating that momentum that we need."
But with half the competition to go, and this their last tour game, the Bulls will know how important it is to ensure they leave Australasia with two victories. Anything less may not be enough in a revamped competition and leave them with too much ground to make up.
Teams:
Bulls: 15 Zane Kirchner, 14 Bjorn Basson, 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 Bakkies Botha, 3 Werner Kruger, 2 Chiliboy Ralepelle, 1 Dean Greyling.
Substitutes: 16 Gary Botha, 17 Rossouw de Klerk, 18 Flip van der Merwe, 19 Danie Rossouw, 20 Derick Kuun, 21 Jaco van der Westhuyzen, 22 Stephan Dippenaar.
Force: TBA
