Bulls add some beef after ban

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Bulls coach Jake White has brought back some serious beef ahead of his team's top-of-the-table Currie Cup encounter with the Sharks.

The No.1 (Bulls) and No.2 (Sharks) teams go head-to-head in Durban on Saturday.

With Travis Ismaiel having undergone shoulder surgery, Marnus Potgieter will earn his first start of the Currie Cup on the right wing.

Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White has also made two positional changes to the backline - with David Kriel and Kurt-Lee Arendse reverting back to fullback and left wing respectively.

In the first of two change to the forwards, Ruan Nortje returns at lock - with Sintu Manjezi providing cover from the bench.

The second sees Jacques van Rooyen getting back into the No.1 jumper, after serving his one week ban for a red card against Western Province.

Schalk Erasmus makes a welcome return as the replacement hooker and will earn his Bulls debut in the Currie Cup should he take the field.

Young Mornay Smith is also expected to earn his first cap of the season as front row cover.

The final change amongst the replacements is Marco Jansen van Vuren as the utility back option.

Bulls: 15 David Kriel, 14 Marnus Potgieter, 13 Stedman Gans, 12 Cornal Hendricks, 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 10 Morné Steyn, 9 Ivan van Zyl, 8 Duane Vermeulen (captain), 7 Arno Botha, 6 Marco van Staden, 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Walt Steenkamp, 3 Trevor Nyakane, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 1 Jacques van Rooyen.

Replacements: 16 Schalk Erasmus, 17 Gerhard Steenekamp, 18 Mornay Smith, 19 Sintu Manjezi, 20 Nizaam Carr, 21 Embrose Papier, 22 Chris Smith, 23 Marco Jansen van Vuren.

Date: Saturday, December 12

Venue: Kings Park, Durban

Kick-off: 19.00 (17.00 GMT)

Referee: Marius van der Westhuizen

Assistant referees: Stuart Berry, Aimee Barrett-Theron

TMO: Marius Jonker