Bulls give Serfontein a Super start

Baby Bok and Player of the Tournament at the IRB Junior Championship last year, Jan Serfontein, will start his first Super Rugby match on Saturday.

Serfontein, following his impressive cameo in the heartbreaking loss to the Reds last week, will partner JJ Engelbrecht in a revamped Bulls midfield against the Brumbies in Canberra on Saturday.

The 20-year-old has played off the bench twice this season, but now gets a chance to stake a more permanent claim to the Bulls No.12 jersey.

Serfontein swaps places with Francois Venter, who will revert to the bench, as Bulls coach Frans Ludeke made two more changes in the backline.

Jürgen Visser will start at left wing in place of Bjorn Basson, who has an ankle injury, while Morné Steyn is back as flyhalf after Louis Fouché got a start last week.

Up front, Grant Hattingh (broken thumb) is replaced by Juandrè Kruger, while Wilhelm Steenkamp, who flew to Australia earlier in the week as a replacement, will play off the bench.

Arno Botha, who was rested against the Reds last week, will be used as impact player ahead of Jacques Potgieter.

Deon Stegmann recovered from his hamstring strain to the leave the loose trio intact.

Bulls: 15 Zane Kirchner, 14 Lionel Mapoe, 13 JJ Engelbrecht, 12 Jan Serfontein, 11 Jurgen Visser, 10 Morné Steyn, 9 Jano Vermaak, 8 Pierre Spies (captain), 7 Dewald Potgieter, 6 Deon Stegmann, 5 Juandrè Kruger, 4 Paul Willemse, 3 Werner Kruger, 2 Chiliboy Ralepelle, 1 Morné Mellett.

Replacements: 16 Willie Wepener, 17 Frik Kirsten, 18 Wilhelm Steenkamp, 19 Arno Botha, 20 Ruan Snyman, 21 Louis Fouché, 22 Francois Venter.

Date: Saturday, March 30

Venue: Canberra Stadium, Canberra

Kick-off: 19.40 (10.40 SA time; 08.40 GMT)

Referee: Jonathon White (New Zealand)

Assistant referees: Angus Gardner (Australia), Rohan Hoffman (Australia)

TMO: Matt Goddard (Australia)