Experienced utility forward Derick Kuün has been named captain of the Blue Bulls team to play in their compulsory friendly against the Griffons on Friday.
Kuün, who played 68 times for the Bulls in Super Rugby and 95 times for the Blue Bulls in provincial competitions, lead a side in Welkom that has a couple of new faces.
Debutant coach Pine Pienaar looks to test combinations for the last time ahead of the Currie Cup competition.
Amongst the new faces are former Tuks Varsity Cup player Jurgen Visser and Willie Wepener, who has just moved from French powerhouse Clermont.
National Under-20 players Lohan Jacobs and Francois Venter are amongst the reserves.
"We had a look at players who had a lot of game time during the Super rugby competition and it guided us in how we chose the team," Pienaar said on Wednesday.
"I think it is important to also give players on the fringe an opportunity in this game and I'm very excited about the 22 we have chosen for Friday in Welkom and hopefully we can go on, play our game and do the things we want to do in the Currie Cup.
"There good thing about the structures here at the Bulls is that all of the players know exactly what to do," Pienaar added.
"Coming from the Vodacom and Under-21 set-up they also know exactly what we want - its just on the day being on point with our execution because they know what is expected of them on Friday."
* Meanwhile Cheetahs prop Kobus Calldo will feature in the Griffons team.
However, Sevens star Cecil Afrika has not been released by Springbok coach Paul Treu.
Teams:
Griffons: 15 Tertius Maarman, 14 Jaco Meyer, 13 Werner Griesel (captain), 12 Thabang Molefe, 11 Eddie Fredericks, 10 Jannie Myburgh, 9 Enrico Schultz, 8 Nicky Steyn, 7 Marnus Briedenhan, 6 Shaun Raubenheimer, 5 Gavin Annandale, 4 Windpomp van Rooyen, 3 Kobus Calldo, 2 Andries Kruger, 1 Kevin Stevens.
Replacements: 16 Derick van Heerden, 17 Jep Ras, 18 Joubert Horn, 19 Johan van Heerden, 20 Andries Mahoney, 21 Tiaan van Wyk, 22 Japie Nel.
Blue Bulls: 15 Jurgen Visser, 14 Akona Ndungane, 13 Stephan Dippenaar, 12 Stefan Watermeyer, 11 Sampie Mastriet, 10 Francois Brummer, 9 Dustin Jinka, 8 Gerrit-Jan van Velze, 7 CJ Stander, 6 Derick Kuün (captain), 5 Juandré Kruger, 4 Fudge Mabeta, 3 Rossouw de Klerk, 2 Willie Wepener, 1 Corné Fourie.
Replacements: 16 Henri Bantjés, 17 Juan Schoeman, 18 Warwick Tecklenberg, 19 Okkie Kruger, 20 Lohan Jacobs, 21 Wesley Dunlop, 22 Francois Venter.
Date: Friday, July 8
Venue: North West Stadium, Welkom
Kick-off: 19.00 (17.00 GMT)
Referee: Lourens van der Merwe
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