Bulls director of rugby, Jake White, has selected a strong side to tackle the Lions in a Currie Cup clash in Pretoria on Sunday.
New Bulls recruit, Lionel Mapoe, will make his first appearance for men in blue after being picked in the No 13 jersey.
The Springbok centre will combine with Harold Vorster in midfield as Cornal Hendricks makes a shift to a familiar position at right wing.
Johan Goosen, who turned out for the first time in the blue strip last weekend in the match against the South Africa 'A' side, will make his official debut for the Bulls in the Currie Cup with a starting berth in the No 10 jersey.
An exciting and talented loose-forward trio of Elrigh Louw at No 8 alongside captain Marcell Coetzee and Muller Uys will be a combination worth watching out for.
An inspiring addition to the Bulls bench is that of young Sibongile Novuka, a star for the UKZN Impi in the recent Varsity Shield competition.
?? TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT ??
— Official Blue Bulls (@BlueBullsRugby) July 23, 2021
Here is your team to take on the Sigma Lions on Sunday ??
Elrigh & Marcell return ?? Vodacom Bulls debut for Lionel Mapoe ?? Who are you most excited to see?
More info here: https://t.co/FobvJVetQR#TrueToTheBlue pic.twitter.com/gjlEeEiaTB
"We are looking forward to get back to action in the Currie Cup, especially against a quality outfit such as the Lions - a team that always pitches up to produce an enthralling Jukskei derby."
White added: "Of course, to be able to select players like Lionel Mapoe and Johan Goosen, whom we have no doubt will add value top this team, is something we particularly look forward to. Further to that, we have youngsters like Sibongile Novuka, who caught our eye with his stellar performances in the Varsity Shield, to add their youthful exuberance. We can surely expect nothing less than a superb battle between two determined sides on Sunday.'
Sunday's match at Loftus Versfeld kicks off at 15:15.
Teams:
Bulls
15 David Kriel, 14 Cornal Hendricks, 13 Lionel Mapoe, 12 Harold Vorster, 11 Richard Kriel, 10 Johan Goosen, 9 Zak Burger, 8 Elrigh Louw, 7 Muller Uys, 6 Marcell Coetzee (captain), 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Walt Steenkamp, 3 Jacques van Rooyen, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 1 Simphiwe Matanzima
Substitutes: 16 Schalk Erasmus, 17 Gerhard Steenekamp, 18 Mornay Smith, 19 Janko Swanepoel, 20 Nizaam Carr, 21 Keagan Johannes, 22 Chris Smith, 23 Sibongile Novuka
Lions
TBA