Bulls bank on Basson for Lions derby

Pretoria - Bulls coach Nollis Marais has named his team for Saturday’s South African Super Rugby derby against the Lions at Loftus Versfeld.

Marais made minimal changes to the squad that did battle successfully against the Stormers last week.

Travis Ismaiel was withdrawn from the team due to personal commitments, and will be replaced by Bjorn Basson at left wing.

Hooker Bandise Maku also comes in on the bench in place of Jaco Visagie in a straight switch.

Saturday’s clash at Loftus Versfeld is scheduled for 17:10.

Teams:

Bulls

15 SP Marais, 14 Jamba Ulengo, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Jan Serfontein, 11 Bjorn Basson, 10 Francois Brummer, 9 Piet van Zyl, 8 Arno Botha, 7 Jannes Kirsten, 6 Lappies Labuschagne, 5 RG Snyman, 4 Jason Jenkins, 3 Marcel van der Merwe, 2 Adriaan Strauss (captain), 1 Lizo Gqoboka

Substitutes: 16 Bandise Maku, 17 Trevor Nyakane, 18 Pierre Schoeman, 19 Grant Hattingh, 20 Deon Stegmann, 21 Rudy Paige, 22 Tian Schoeman, 23 Dries Swanepoel

Lions

TBA