Flyhalf Chris Smith and hooker Joe van Zyl will start for the Bulls when they face the Sharks in the Currie Cup final at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.

Bulls director of rugby, Jake White, has opted for consistency in the season finale, making only two changes to the team that overpowered Western Province in the semi-final last week.

With the unavailability of flyhalf, Johan Goosen, it will be the reliable Smith who, in the only change to the backline, will slot in at No 10 for the showdown.

In the forwards, Van Zyl gets the nod for a starting berth at hooker, replacing Schalk Erasmus while Jan-Hendrik Wessels will once again provide cover from the bench.

“The players have proven to be consistent over the past few weeks in their performances, so it is only natural that we continue with that consistency into this all-important Currie Cup final,” said White.

“We expect a tough battle against the Sharks – a match that will be on par with Test match rugby. The Sharks have been a formidable side throughout their campaign. They are well-coached, have talented players and are a driven group. So, we expect them to throw everything at us this weekend.

“We know what’s heading our way this weekend, and there is no doubt that rugby fans are in for a treat.”

The match kicks off at 5pm and will be televised on SuperSport.

BULLS: 15 David Kriel, 14 Cornal Hendricks, 13 Lionel Mapoe, 12 Harold Vorster, 11 Madosh Tambwe, 10 Chris Smith, 9 Zak Burger, 8 Elrigh Louw, 7 Arno Botha, 6 Marcell Coetzee (c), 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Janko Swanepoel, 3 Mornay Smith, 2 Joe van Zyl, 1 Gerhard Steenekamp
Replacements: 16 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 17 Simphiwe Matanzima, 18 Jacques van Rooyen, 19 Jacques du Plessis, 20 WJ Steenkamp, 21 Keagan Johannes, 22 Ruan Combrinck/David Coetzer, 23 Stravino Jacobs, 24 Reinhardt Ludwig, 25 Jaco Labuschagne, 26 Marco Jansen van Vuren, 27 David Coetzer, 28 Stedman Gans, 29 Schalk Erasmus