By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Morne Steyn will wear the Vodacom Bulls’ No 10 jersey in his final appearance in Pretoria in the crunch Currie Cup match against the Cheetahs on Saturday.
Steyn, who will be retiring at the end of the season, starts in a halfback combination with Embrose Papier.
Meanwhile, another retiring legend, Bismark du Plessis, will play from the bench, as Jan-Hendrik Wessels starts at hooker.
Kick off for the clash is set for 15h00pm, at Loftus Versfeld Stadium.
Director of Rugby, Jake White has made a few rotation changes to his matchday 23. At the front, Mornay Smith (tighthead prop) swaps places with Francois Klopper who goes to the impact squad, while Ruan Nortje (Lock) comes in for Janko Swanepoel who will also get a chance to run from the bench. Cyle Brink (open-side flanker) returns to the matchday 23 having fully recovered from the flu and he will line up alongside Elrigh Louw who will run out at eight with Nizaam Carr shifting to the impact squad.
The rest of the forwards’ pack will see Gerhard Steenekamp (loosehead prop), Jan-Hendrik Wessels (hooker), Ruan Vermaak (Lock) and Marcell Coetzee (blind-side flanker) all add their weight as the herd looks to confirm their final four berth.
In the backline, Morné Steyn will start at flyhalf with Chris Smith primed for a run from the bench. Steyn will pair up with Embrose Papier at halfback. Both David Kriel (left) and Cornal Hendricks (right) will get to run out on the wings while Johan Goosen’s services have also been retained at fullback. The only other change at the back is that of returning Harold Vorster (inside), pairing up with Stedman Gans (outside) at centre.
The Bulls will have fresh legs to call upon in the form of Bismarck Du Plessis who slots into the impact squad alongside Kloppers, Swanepoel, Carr, and Smith. Simphiwe Matanzima, Keagan Johannes and Wandile Simelane have all been retained from the week before.
The fixture will also be a farewell outing for team physiotherapist, Kyle Meyer, who has been running with the team for the last 8 years.