Rugby: Stegmann back in Bulls team to play Wellington

Deon Stegmann of the Bulls, left, tackles Mat Berquist of the Highlanders during their Rugby Super14 match in Pretoria, South Africa, Saturday, March 13, 2010. Photo by AP.
Deon Stegmann of the Bulls, left, tackles Mat Berquist of the Highlanders during their Rugby Super14 match in Pretoria, South Africa, Saturday, March 13, 2010. Photo by AP.
Flanker Deon Stegmann has been recalled by the Bulls for the Super 14 match against the Wellington Hurricanes in which captain Victor Matfield will win his 100th Super rugby cap. 

Stegmann was the only change made by coach Frans Ludeke on Wednesday from the team that beat the Otago Highlanders 50-35 in week five, with Derick Kuun moving back to the bench.

Matfield will play his 100th Super rugby game on Saturday. Teammate Pedrie Wannenburg achieved the feat earlier in the season. "Of course, it is nice for me but the bigger picture is what the Bulls must do to stay undefeated," Matfield said.

"All the teams are improving week by week, so we need to improve as well.

"We dont play for caps, we play to win trophies."

Prop Bees Roux was selected on the bench after missing last weekend's game with a cut on his head from a training accident. He is expected to return, but Ludeke said Rossouw de Klerk is on standby.

Fourie du Preez will start again at No. 9 after announcing on Wednesday that he will leave the Bulls at the end of next year's Super 15 season.

Du Preez will play in Japan following the 2011 World Cup. The Pretoria team has made a perfect start to its Super 14 defense with four bonus-point wins from four games.

Bulls: Zane Kirchner, Gerhard van den Heever, Stephan Dippenaar, Wynand Olivier, Francois Hougaard, Morne Steyn, Fourie du Preez; Gurthro Steenkamp, Gary Botha, Werner Kruger, Danie Rossouw, Victor Matfield (captain), Deon Stegmann, Dewald Potgieter, Pierre Spies. Reserves: Bandise Maku, Bees Roux/Rossouw de Klerk, Flip van der Merwe, Derick Kuun, Jacques-Louis Potgieter, Jaco van der Westhuyzen, Pedrie Wannenburg.