Danie Rossouw is to partner Victor Matfield at lock in the Bulls' Super Rugby fixture against the Highlanders at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday night.

Rossouw, who scored a try off the bench against the Cheetahs last weekend, replaces Bakkies Botha in the only change to the starting line-up.

Botha is being rested after badly bruising a foot in that encounter.

Matfield and Rossouw played together as a combination 11 times last year, including in their 50-35 win over the same opponents in last year’s fixture.

Rossouw’s place on the bench will be taken by Juandré Kruger, who will earn a first Super Rugby start should he be used as a replacement.

Kruger has just recovered from a broken finger.

Ludeke is expecting a massive challenge from the Highlanders, who have won both their opening games.

“The New Zealand side will pose new challenges, as they have a different style to what we have encountered so far in the competition. They like to off-load in the tackle situation and are very competent at the breakdown. They will be a tough nut to crack,” Ludeke said.

Matfield is keen for his team to deliver 80 minutes of hard rugby in their opening home game, in which the Bulls will be looking for a 19th consecutive win at Loftus Versfeld.

“We are happy with our position on the log, but not with the performances that got us there. We need to play for longer periods and not only produce 40 minutes here and 40 minutes there. This will be a huge challenge, but we trained well. We still need to execute on the day though,” Matfield said.

Team:

Zane Kirchner, Gerhard van den Heever, Jaco Pretorius, Wynand Olivier, Bjorn Basson, Morné Steyn, Fourie du Preez, Pierre Spies, Dewald Potgieter, Deon Stegmann, Victor Matfield, Danie Rossouw, Werner Kruger, Chiliboy Ralepelle, Gurthrö Steenkamp.

Replacements: Derick Kuün, Rossouw de Klerk, Flip van der Merwe, Juandré Kruger, Ruan Snyman, Francois Brummer, Stephan Dippenaar.