The Highlanders have made
six changes to their side to take on the table-topping Bulls
in Pretoria on Sunday morning.
The forward pack has had a serious revamp and features a
near-new front row, while two new loose forwards are
starting.
Halfback Sean Romans gets his first start at this level since
he faced the Waratahs in Sydney last February, coming in for
captain Jimmy Cowan, who was forced home after dislocating a
finger on his right hand in the 33-0 loss to the Stormers in
Cape Town last weekend.
Outside Romans will be Mathew Berquist, who starts his first
game since the first match of the season.
Berquist replaces Michael Hobbs, who, with loose forward Adam
Thomson, has been dropped from the side after breaking of a
team curfew in Cape Town.
Steven Setephano comes into the side to replace Thomson. With
Nasi Manu not in South Africa because of injury, Setephano
was coach Glenn Moore's only option at the back of the scrum.
Tim Boys gets his first start for the season in place of John
Hardie, who moves to the bench.
Chris King gets a start in front of Clint Newland at
tighthead prop, while beside him Jason Macdonald will get his
first start in a Highlanders jersey since 2008.
Southland youngster Robbie Robinson moves on to the bench and
should get some playing time.
After a week off because of the bye, the Bulls welcome back
No 8 Pierre Spies, although lock Bakkies Botha is still
missing, recovering from an Achilles injury.
But he should hardly be missed, as the experienced Danie
Rossouw is set to start in the second row alongside captain
Victor Matfield.
It is going to be an extremely demanding assignment for the
Highlanders in Pretoria.
The Bulls have scored 17 tries in their three games.
The side has turned Loftus Versfeld into a imposing venue and
the Highlanders, missing two of their key All Blacks and
Hobbs, who has provided a spark this year, will be have to be
on their game to have any hope of getting something out of
the encounter.
• HIGHLANDERS v BULLS
Sunday, 4.05am, Pretoria
Highlanders: Israel Dagg,
Ben Smith, Kendrick Lynn, Jason Shoemark, Fetu'u Vainikolo,
Mathew Berquist, Sean Romans, Steven Setephano, Alando
Soakai, Tim Boys, Tom Donnelly, Josh Bekhuis, Chris King,
Jason Macdonald, Jamie Mackintosh (captain).
Reserves: Jason Rutledge, Bronson Murray,
Hayden Triggs, John Hardie, Scott Cowan, Robbie Robinson,
James Paterson.
Bulls: Zane Kirchner,
Gerhard van den Heever, Stephan Dippenaar, Wynand Olivier,
Francois Hougaard, Morne Steyn, Fourie du Preez, Pierre
Spies, Dewald Potgeiter, Derick Kuun, Victor Matfield
(captain), Danie Rossouw, Werner Kruger, Gary Botha, Gurthro
Steenkamp. Reserves: Bandise Maku, Rossouw de
Klerk, Flip van der Merwe, Deon Stegmann, Jacques-Louis
Potgieter, Jaco van der Westhuyzen, Pedrie Wannenburg.
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