Blue Bulls call on Stander

Blue Bulls coach Pine Pienaar named CJ Stander at No.8 in a reshuffled loose trio combination for his side's Currie Cup match against the Sharks in Durban on Friday.

With Jacques Potgieter being recalled to the Springboks squad, Arno Botha moves from No.8 to seven in place of Potgieter, allowing Stander back into the starting line-up.

The rest of the side that beat the Free State Cheetahs last weekend will again do duty, with Lionel Cronjè bracketed with Louis Fouchè at flyhalf, with the latter an injury concern.

On the bench, Warwick Tecklenburg takes Stander's place, while Tuks flyhalf Willie du Plessis will be on standby, should he need to replace Cronjè on the bench.

Grant Hattingh has also being declared fit and will replace Cornell Hess on the bench whilst Bjorn Basson will be given another week to regain full fitness.

Blue Bulls: 15 Jürgen Visser, 14 Akona Ndungane, 13 JJ Engelbrecht, 12 Francois Venter, 11 Sampie Mastriet, 10 Louis Fouchè/Lionel Cronjè, 9 Jano Vermaak, 8 CJ Stander, 7 Arno Botha, 6 Dewald Potgieter (captain), 5 Franco Mostert, 4 Wilhelm Steenkamp, 3 Werner Kruger, 2 Willie Wepener, 1 Mornè Mellett.

Replacements: 16 Bongo Mbonambi, 17 Frik Kirsten, 18 Grant Hattingh, 19 Warwick Tecklenburg, 20 Ruan Snyman, 21 Lionel Cronjè/Willie du Plessis, 22 Ulrich Beyers.

Date: Friday, September 28

Venue: Kings Park, Durban

Kick-off: 19.10 (17.10 GMT)

Referee: Mark Lawrence

Assistant referees: Ben Crouse, Reuben Rossouw

TMO: Johann Meuwesen