Vodacom Bulls Director of Rugby, Jake White, has made two positional changes to the backline for the match at Jonsson Kings Park, which kicks off at 19h00 and will be broadcast live on SuperSport.

With Potgieter starting in the No 14 jersey, David Kriel and Kurt-Lee Arendse revert back to fullback and left wing respectively.

The final change in the backline is at scrumhalf, where Ivan van Zyl is back in the starting team, while Embrose Papier moves to the bench.

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

The second sees Jacques van Rooyen back at loosehead prop after serving his one week ban for a red card against DHL Western Province, while Trevor Nyakane is back on the other side of the front row after starting on the bench last weekend.

Ruan Nortje (right) with Morne Steyn

Ruan Nortje (right) with Morne Steyn

Schalk Erasmus makes a welcome return as the replacement hooker and will earn his Vodacom Bulls debut in the Carling Currie Cup should he take the field. Young Mornay Smith is also in line 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.

"The Sharks have been the in-form team from earlier this year and will be looking to get one over us," said White.

"Durban is never an easy place to play and coupled with the humidity our job becomes that much harder. However, we are confident in our style of play and we know exactly what we need to do come Saturday."

Vodacom 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.

Match information – Cell C Sharks v Vodacom Bulls
Date: Saturday, 12 December 2020
Time: 19h00
Venue: Jonsson Kings Park, Durban
Referee: Marius van der Westhuizen
Assistant Referees: Stuart Berry, Aimee Barrett-Theron
TMO: Marius Jonker
TV: SuperSport Rugby and Grandstand