The Blue Bulls have included three of their four Springboks who have been released for Absa Currie Cup rugby for Saturday's match against the Xerox Lions at Coca Cola Park.
Hooker Chiliboy Ralepelle, who is on the bench, is the only one of the four not too start with Francois Hougaard, Dewald Potgieter and Flip van der Merwe all included in the side announced today.
Hougaard, who will have a start as scrumhalf for the Blue Bulls after being deployed on the wing in this season's Super 14 competition, replaces Ruan Snyman, lock Van der Merwe comes in place of Wilhelm Steenkamp and Dewald Potgieter replaces injured flank Deon Stegmann.
In a second change at lock, Juandre Kruger starts with Van der Merwe. Fudge Mabeta moves to the bench in what coach Frans Ludeke descried as a rotational move.
The injury to loosehead prop Dean Greyling earns Jaco Engels promotion to the starting lineup.
"It's nice to have some of our Springboks back," said Ludeke at the team announcement. "The guys are hungry for rugby as they have seen little game time in Australasia."
He said the Blue Bulls were wary of the Lions who are always difficult to beat at Coca-Cola Park.
