Spies and Steenkamp reach 50 caps

The Bulls will not lack experience when they take on the Chiefs in their Super 14 rugby clash in Hamilton on Friday evening, with two more players hitting the 50 mark in the blue jersey.

Pierre Spies and Gurthrö Steenkamp will join eight other team mates with 50 Super 14 caps against the losing finalist from last year's competition.

Spies, who debuted as a wing in 2005, will continue his impressive form at number eight, while Steenkamp, who played 10 matches for the Cats before joining the Bulls in 2005, is arguably the form prop in the competition.

Bulls coach Frans Ludeke made two changes to the side that suffered their first defeat in the competition last week, with both being forced on him by injury.

Stephan Dippenaar will replace Jaco Pretorius (eye socket) and Heini Adams, who just joined the side after recovering from a rib injury, will replace Derick Kuün (ankle) as Ludeke revert back to a more traditional bench of four forwards and three backs.

The coach welcomed back Dippenaar, who last played against the Hurricanes three weeks ago and Adams, who last played against the Waratahs.

"Dippies is working hard during training in order to be ready when his chance comes. He has shown he can play at this level and he is keen to give it a go.

"Heini brings positive energy to the team and is an experienced campaigner at this level. We welcome him back."

Commenting on Spies and Steenkamp, Ludeke said both players were blessed to achieve these milestones.

"It remains something special for a player and listening to them, they are proud to achieve this in this team environment and for this team."

Other milestones are:

* Pedrie Wannenburg will play in his 106th match, a Bulls record. It is also his 92nd consecutive match, another franchise record.

* Victor Matfield will play in his 102nd match of Super Rugby, 94 of those for the Bulls. He captained them in 53 of those, a SA record he shares with John Smit (Sharks).

The team (with caps) is: Zane Kirchner (33), Gerhard van den Heever (11), Stephan Dippenaar (7), Wynand Olivier (64), Francois Hougaard (10), Mornè Steyn (66), Fourie du Preez (92), Pierre Spies (49), Dewald Potgieter (24), Deon Stegmann (32), Victor Matfield (102), Danie Rossouw (95), Werner Kruger (35), Gary Botha (66), Gurthrö Steenkamp (59). Replacements: Bandise Maku (14), Bees Roux (23), Flip van der Merwe (13), Pedrie Wannenburg (105), Heini Adams (32), Jacques-Louis Potgieter (24), Jaco van der Westhuyzen (50).