Bismarck du Plessis will make a return to play with a starting berth for the Vodacom Bulls when they take on the Lions in a Currie Cup clash at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.

Having served a three-week suspension for dangerous play, the veteran hooker has been named in a new-look front row between captain Lizo Gqoboka and Dylan Smith, making his starting debut for the Bulls since joining from the Lions via Ealing Trailfinders.

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Juan Mostert is also set to make his first start for the Bulls, earning a spot at flyhalf in an exciting backline which will also see Kabelo Mokoena, who was part of the successful UP Tuks team that recently claimed the Varsity Cup title.

“We are looking forward to a hard game against the Lions this week. We have also an exciting team, led by Lizo, that we have assembled for this match. We have a good mix of experience with Bismarck also back in the mix and the likes of Stedman Gans and Marco Jansen van Vuren in the backline,” said Bulls head coach, Gert Smal.

“There is a lot of history and a rivalry that spans for decades between these two teams. Every time the Bulls meet the Lions it is expected to be a game full of spark. They (Lions) will undoubtedly throw everything at us and will bring the competitiveness we have known between these two sides over the past 84 years.”

Bulls – 15 James Verity-Amm, 14 David Kriel, 13 Stedman Gans, 12 Marco Jansen van Vuren, 11 Kabelo Mokoena, 10 Juan Mostert, 9 Keagan Johannes, 8 Muller Uys, 7 Reinhardt Ludwig, 6 Jaco Labuschagne, 5 Janko Swanepoel, 4 Raynard Roets, 3 Dylan Smith, 2 Bismarck du Plessis, 1 Lizo Gqoboka (c).
Subs: 16 Sidney Tobias, 17 Cebo Dlamini, 18 Francois Kloppers, 19 Ruan Delport, 20 Stephan Smith; 21 Bernard van der Linde, 22 Diego Appollis, 23 Richard Kriel.

Photo: EJ Langner/Gallo Images