Bulls back to full strength for clash with visiting Reds

22 March 2012 - 02:42

By Sapa

The Bulls welcomed the return of Francois Hougaard and Johann Sadie for their Super 15 match against the Reds at Loftus on Saturday.

Hougaard is available again after he missed the match against the Blues due to a week's suspension.

Sadie recovered from a shoulder injury that kept him out of both the Cheetahs and Blues matches.

Their inclusions were the only two changes made to the starting line-up by coach Frans Ludeke.

Hougaard replaces Jano Vermaak, who moves to the bench, and Sadie will replace Francois Venter.

Sadie will play at outside centre and Wynand Olivier on his inside.

Arno Botha is the new replacement loose forward in the place of Gerrit-Jan van Velze. The 20-year-old Botha has recovered from a back injury.

He will make his Super Rugby debut should he take to the field.

Stormers coach Allister Coetzee named an unchanged team to the one that beat the Blues on Friday for the match against the Lions at Ellis Park on Saturday.

Bulls: Zane Kirchner, Akona Ndungane, Johann Sadie, Wynand Olivier, Bjorn Basson, Morne Steyn, Francois Hougaard, Pierre Spies (captain), Jacques Potgieter, CJ Stander, Juandre Kruger, Flip van der Merwe, Werner Kruger, Chiliboy Ralepelle, Dean Greyling. Replacements: Willie Wepener, Frik Kirsten, Wilhelm Steenkamp, Arno Botha, Jano Vermaak, Louis Fouche, JJ Engelbrecht.

Stormers: Joe Pietersen, Gio Aplon, Juan de Jongh, Jean de Villiers (capt), Bryan Habana, Peter Grant, Dewaldt Duvenage, Nick Koster, Duane Vermeulen, Siya Kolisi, Andries Bekker, Eben Etzebeth, Brok Harris, Tiaan Liebenberg, Steven Kitshoff. Reserves: Scarra Ntubeni, Frans Malherbe, De Kock Steenkamp, Nizaam Carr, Louis Schreuder, Gary van Aswegen, Gerhard van den Heever.