The Bulls host the All Blacks at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday evening in the tourists’ third match of their tour, with kick-off scheduled for 19:00.
With the first Test between the Springboks and All Blacks only a week away, the Bulls will aim to provide a strong South African performance as Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series begins to build momentum.
The Pretoria side have been strengthened by the inclusion of Springboks Elrigh Louw and Johan Grobbelaar. Both players were released from the national camp and have been named among the Bulls replacements.
The All Blacks arrive in Pretoria after a closely contested victory over the Stormers, before following it with a comprehensive win against the Sharks.
Marcell Coetzee captains the Bulls, while Codie Taylor leads the All Blacks.
Bulls team
15 Willie le Roux, 14 Thaakir Abrahams, 13 Stedman Gans, 12 Harold Vorster, 11 Stravino Jacobs, 10 Curwin Bosch, 9 Embrose Papier, 8 Jeandre Rudolph, 7 Hanro Liebenberg, 6 Marcell Coetzee (captain), 5 JF van Heerden, 4 Ruan Vermaak, 3 Francois Klopper, 2 Juann Else, 1 Alu Tshakweni.
Replacements: 16 Johan Grobbelaar, 17 Sti Sithole, 18 Khuta Mchunu, 19 Reinhardt Ludwig, 20 Elrigh Louw, 21 Paul de Wet, 22 Katlego Letebele, 23 Hakeem Kunene.
All Blacks team
15 Beauden Barrett, 14 Leroy Carter, 13 Rieko Ioane, 12 Anton Lienert-Brown, 11 Josh Moorby, 10 Josh Jacomb, 9 Cortez Ratima, 8 Peter Lakai, 7 Anton Segner, 6 Simon Parker, 5 Patrick Tuipulotu, 4 Fabian Holland, 3 Tyrel Lomax, 2 Codie Taylor (captain), 1 Xavier Numia.
Replacements: 16 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 17 George Bower, 18 Siale Lauaki, 19 Josh Lord, 20 Wallace Sititi, 21 Kyle Preston, 22 Timoci Tavatavanawai, 23 Emoni Narawa.
The referee is Nika Amashukeli of Georgia. Karl Dickson and Matthew Carley, both from England, are the assistant referees, while Eric Gauzins of France is the television match official.
The All Blacks have played at Loftus Versfeld, and at the former Eastern Sports Ground, 16 times since 1928. Six of those matches were Tests against the Springboks, while four were against Northern Transvaal, the forerunner to the Bulls, in 1949, 1960, 1970 and 1976.
New Zealand won the first three meetings with Northern Transvaal, but lost the 1976 encounter 29-27.
Their other opponents at the Pretoria venue have included the Junior Springboks, South African Universities, Northern Universities, South African Combined Services, Pretoria and Pretoria Clubs. The All Blacks also faced Scotland at Loftus Versfeld during the 1995 Rugby World Cup.
The stadium stands 1,350 metres above sea level. Its thinner air can help kicks travel significantly further than they would at sea level. Twenty years ago, Dan Carter struck what may be the longest penalty goal by an All Black, converting from 62 metres during New Zealand’s 45-26 victory.
WIN R5 000: Take The South African’s Winter Reader Survey
