Muir keeps Spencer at fullback

Johannesburg - Lions coach Dick Muir has made only two injury-enforced changes to the team that lost to the Sharks last weekend, for Saturday’s Super 14 derby match against the Bulls at Loftus Versfeld.

Walter Venter replaces Doppies la Grange at inside centre and Derick Minnie come in for No 8 Todd Clever.

Venter, back from injury, will now partner Marius Delport, who played centre and wing for the Bulls last season. Delport is keen to prove his worth against the side that he probably feels didn’t give him enough opportunities.

Venter and Delport will be up against Bulls Springboks Wynand Olivier and Jaco Pretorius.

Carlos Spencer, who was not selected but ran on in a surprise late decision by Muir last week, retains his place at fullback after a good performance against the Sharks and Michael Killian is again on the wing, to where he was moved to accommodate Spencer.

An expected change after his inclusion in the Vodacom Cup side for Friday’s quarter-final against the Free State Cheetahs is the omission from the Super 14 squad of Springbok Heinke van der Merwe.

He was on the bench last weekend, but Muir has brought in Kevin Buys to cover the front row and also promoted Vodacom Cup captain Justin Wheeler on the bench.

Wouter Moore also gets a chance on the bench with Willem Stoltz now in the Vodacom Cup team.

Teams:

Bulls:
15. Zane Kirchner, 14. Gerhard van den Heever, 13. Jaco Pretorius, 12. Wynand Olivier, 11. Francois Hougaard, 10. Morne Steyn, 9. Heini Adams, 8. Pierre Spies, 7. Dewald Potgieter, 6. Derick Kuün, 5. Victor Matfield (captain), 4. Danie Rossouw, 3. Werner Kruger, 2. Gary Botha, 1. Gurthrö Steenkamp

Substitutes: 16. Bandise Maku, 17. Bees Roux, 18. Flip van der Merwe, 19. Deon Stegmann, 20. Fourie du Preez, 21. Jacques-Louis Potgieter, 22. Pedrie Wannenburg

Lions:
15. Carlos Spencer, 14. Michael Killian, 13. Marius Delport, 12. Walter Venter, 11. Wandile Mjekevu, 10. Herkie Kruger, 9. Jano Vermaak, 8. Derick Minnie, 7. Wikus van Heerden, 6. Cobus Grobbelaar (captain), 5. Franco van der Merwe, 4. Nico Luus, 3. Gert Muller, 2. Hans van Dyk, 1. JC Janse van Rensburg

Substitutes: 16. Hannes Franklin, 17. Kevin Buys, 18. Wouter Moore, 19. Justin Wheeler, 20. Chris Jonck, 21. Deon van Rensburg, 22. Tonderai Chavhanga