URC: Battered Bulls make 11 changes for Sharks encounter

In total, 11 changes have been made to the starting XV from last week's difficult 50-5 loss to Northampton Saints. The Bulls are also hoping to break a five-game losing streak.

Willie le Roux slots in at fullback, Handre Pollard returns at flyhalf, and Embrose Papier takes over at scrumhalf. David Kriel and Sebastian de Klerk are recalled to the midfield and wing respectively, adding experience and strike power alongside Harold Vorster and Stravino Jacobs.

Up front, the Bok front row of  Gerhard Steenekamp, Johan Grobbelaar, and Wilco Louw form a a wall of heavyweights, while Jeandre Rudolph comes in at blindside flank. Elrigh Louw captains the side from No 8, with JJ Theron completing the loose trio.

The replacements have also been reinforced, with Akker van der Merwe, Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Reinhardt Ludwig, and Devon Williams joining Nizaam Carr, Paul de Wet, and Stedman Gans.

The Pretoria franchise will be looking to impose themselves physically in Durban, with Pollard and Le Roux's leadership expected to steady the ship.

Bulls - 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Sebastian de Klerk, 13 David Kriel, 12 Harold Vorster, 11 Stravino Jacobs, 10 Handre Pollard, 9 Embrose Papier, 8 JJ Theron, 7 Elrigh Louw (c), 6 Jeandre Rudolph, 5 JF van Heerden, 4 Cobus Wiese, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 1 Gerhard Steenekamp.

Replacements: 16 Akker van der Merwe, 17 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 18 Khuta Mchunu, 19 Reinhardt Ludwig, 20 Nizaam Carr, 21 Paul de Wet, 22 Stedman Gans, 23 Devon Williams.