Willie le Roux dropped to Bulls bench as Ackermann makes changes for Munster

The Bulls, who opened their northern hemisphere tour with a comprehensive victory over Zebre Parma, will be without tighthead prop Mornay Smith after he suffered an ankle injury and was forced to return to South Africa.

Khutha Mchunu comes into the match-day squad as replacement prop alongside Sti Sithole, who replaces Dylan Smith on the bench.

There are also several changes in the backline, with Hakeem Kunene promoted to starting fullback after featuring off the bench last week. Springbok veteran Willie le Roux moves to the bench, where he will provide experienced cover.

Thaakir Abrahams also comes into the starting line-up on the left wing, while Stravino Jacobs shifts to inside centre and Stedman Gans comes in at outside centre. Harold Vorster drops out of the match-day 23.

Zak Burger takes over the starting scrumhalf position from Paul de Wet, with Curwin Bosch retaining his place at flyhalf.

The Bulls have kept their starting forward pack unchanged, with captain Marcell Coetzee continuing in the back row alongside Hanro Liebenberg and Jeandre Rudolph.

Speaking after last weekend's 47-13 victory over Zebre, Ackermann was glad to see his side kick off their season with a win, but cautioned they would have to cut out some of the unforced errors they committed in Italy.

"The biggest thing we take is that we got away with the win against Zebre," Ackermann said.

"Last year is still in our memory, and we lost the first two games at home, so we were always nervous.

"Although we had a good build-up with the guys, we made some sloppy errors in those first few minutes.

"That's the part we must correct because Munster will bring a different challenge.

"If we're not accurate in our entries or exits in the 22, they will punish you."

Bulls - 15 Hakeem Kunene, 14 Sebastian de Klerk, 13 Stedman Gans, 12 Stravino Jacobs, 11 Thaakir Abrahams, 10 Curwin Bosch, 9 Zak Burger, 8 Jeandre Rudolph, 7 Hanro Liebenberg, 6 Marcell Coetzee (captain), 5 Reinhardt Ludwig, 4 Ruan Vermaak, 3 Francois Klopper, 2 Juann Else, 1 Alu Tshakweni.

Replacements: 16 Janco Uys, 17 Sti Sithole, 18 Khutha Mchunu, 19 JF van Heerden, 20 Nizaam Carr, 21 Paul de Wet, 22 Cheswill Jooste, 23 Willie le Roux.