Vodacom Bulls prop Dawie Steyn will earn a first Super Rugby start on Saturday when his new side face the Brumbies at Loftus Versfeld.
The loose head prop will replace Dean Greyling who did not recover from a bruised shoulder.
Steyn has been in excellent form in the Vodacom Cup and coach Frans Ludeke is keen to see how the former Affies pupil will handle the Australians.
“Dawie has been part of the squad since pre-season and has developed the way we hoped and expected. He will be very keen for this opportunity and I am sure he will do very well.”
The Brumbies made two changes to their side that beat the Rebels last week, with Wallabies loose head, Ben Alexander, returning to the fray.
Ludeke earlier said they will be looking for a better start than recent weeks.
The Vodacom Bulls could go top of the South African conference if they beat the Brumbies with a bonus point.
THE TEAMS ARE:
Vodacom Bulls: Zane Kirchner, Akona Ndungane, JJ Engelbrecht, Wynand Olivier, Bjorn Basson, Morné Steyn, Francois Hougaard, Pierre Spies (c), Jacques Potgieter, CJ Stander, Juandré Kruger, Wilhelm Steenkamp, Werner Kruger, Chiliboy Ralepelle, Dawie Steyn.
Replacements: Bongi Mbonambi, Frik Kirsten, Gerrit-Jan van Velze, Arno Botha, Jano Vermaak, Louis Fouché, Johann Sadie.
Brumbies: Jesse Mogg, Henry Speight, Andrew Smith, Pat McCabe, Joe Tomane, Christian Lealiifano, Nic White, Fotu Auelua, Michael Hooper, Ben Mowen (c), Sam Carter, Scott Fardy, Dan Palmer, Stephen Moore, Ben Alexander.
Replacements: Anthony Hegarty, Ruaidhri Murphy, Peter Kimlin, Ita Vaea, Ian Prior, Robbie Coleman, Tevita Kuridrani.
Referee: Marius Jonker
Assistant referees: Lourens van der Merwe, Stefan Breytenbach.
TMO: Johann Meuwesen
Kick-off: 19h10