The Bulls have set in motion their rotation policy in considering their squad to take on the Waratahs at Loftus, Pretoria on Saturday.

Official Media release from the Bulls:

Derick Kuün will start as openside for the Vodacom Bulls for the first time in three years when they take on the Waratahs at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.

Kuün, who moved back from the hooker position where he played Super Rugby in 2008 and 2009, last played on the side of the scrum for the Bulls in the final of the 2007 competition.

He replaces the regular number six, Deon Stegmann, as part of Bulls coach, Frans Ludeke’s, rotational policy in a move that also sees Danie Rossouw starting at eight and centurion Pedrie Wannenburg again wearing the number seven jersey.

Rossouw is fit again after a neck strain prevented him from a start against the Brumbies and will replace Pierre Spies, who is still recovering from a knock to the knee suffered in that game.

“We are losing a lot of fire power with Pierre not available as he is one of our main ball carriers. But luckily we have someone similar with Danie, who also carries the ball very well and is fit again”, Ludeke said of this move.

Flip van der Merwe, who replaced Rossouw a week ago, retains his place after a strong showing against the Brumbies.

Dewald Potgieter will make his first appearance off the bench after recovering from the knee injury that prevented earlier participation.

Ludeke left his back line unchanged, although Jaco van der Westhuyzen might replace John Mametsa, providing that his clearance papers from his Japanese club, NEC Green Rockets, arrive on time.

With regards to the Waratahs, Ludeke said that he expecting another tough onslaught.

“I thought Bryan Habana was the only difference between them and the Stormers last weekend, with his brilliance taking the game away from the Waratahs. They have a international front row and a massive pack, but the Bulls also have world class players, so we will be ready.”

Captain Victor Matfield again committed his side to play positive rugby.

“We will continue to try and score tries. We scored from 70% of the attacking line-outs we forced on the Brumbies and will continue to look for those opportunities.”

The team is (with number of Super 14 caps): 15. Zane Kirchner (29), 14. Gerhard van den Heever (6), 13. Stephan Dippenaar (4), 12. Wynand Olivier (59), 11. Francois Hougaard (6), 10. Morné Steyn (61), 9. Fourie du Preez (87, v/c), 8. Danie Rossouw (90), 7. Pedrie Wannenburg (100), 6. Derick Kuün (44), 5. Victor Matfield (97, c), 4. Flip vd Merwe (8), 3. Werner Kruger (30), 2. Gary Botha (61), 1. Gurthrö Steenkamp (54). Replacements: 16. Bandise Maku (10), 17. Bees Roux (19), 18. Deon Stegmann (27), 19. Dewald Potgieter (19), 20. Heini Adams (31), 21. Jacques-Louis Potgieter (20), 22. John Mametsa (5) or Jaco van der Westhuyzen (47).