Handré Pollard will slot straight back into the Vodacom Bulls’ starting lineup against the Highlanders in Dunedin on Friday.

The flyhalf, who flew over to New Zealand this week after recovering from injury, will make his return in one of five changes to the starting XV.

Fullback Warrick Gelant has not managed to overcome a knock he took in the draw against the Blues last week and is replaced by Divan Rossouw.

Dylan Sage has taken the place of the injured Rosko Specman, but will play in midfield with Johnny Kotze shifting to the left wing. Embrose Papier will partner Pollard in the halfbacks.

The only other change sees Ruan Steenkamp replace Paul Schoeman, who also misses the game through injury, causing Marco van Standen to move to No 8. Young Johan Grobbelaar, who usually plays as a hooker, has been listed as a flank replacement on the bench.

Bulls – 15 Divan Rossouw , 14 Cornal Hendricks, 13 Dylan Sage, 12 Burger Odendaal, 11 Johnny Kotze, 10 Handré Pollard (c) , 9 Embrose Papier, 8 Marco van Staden, 7 Hanro Liebenberg, 6 Ruan Steenkamp, 5 RG Snyman, 4 Jason Jenkins, 3 Trevor Nyakane, 2 Schalk Brits, 1 Lizo Gqoboka.
Subs: 16 Jaco Visagie, 17 Simphiwe Matanzima, 18 Wiehahn Herbst, 19 Jannes Kirsten, 20 Johan Grobbelaar, 21 Ivan van Zyl, 22 Manie Libbok, 23 JT Jackson.

Vodacom Super Rugby teams (Round 17)

Photo: Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix