Gary Botha is back as captain and hooker for the Vodacom Blue Bulls in their Absa Currie Cup clash against the Leopards in Potchefstroom on Saturday.

The stalwart started the last two matches off the bench, but has now fully recovered from the knee injury he suffered earlier in the competition.

Botha replaces Derick Kuün as captain and Chiliboy Ralepelle at hooker, with the latter moving to the bench. Fudge Mabeta recovered from the shoulder injury that prevented him from starts against the Cheetahs and Lions and will lock the scrum with Flip van der Merwe.

Juandré Kruger, who started the last eight matches in the number five jersey moves to the side of the scrum for his 19th Blue Bulls appearance. He replaces CJ Stander, who will move back to the u.21 side.

The back line remains the same, but Ruan Snyman and Hayden Groepes takes over from Dustin Jinka and Stephan Dippenaar as the backline replacements.

The Vodacom Blue Bulls coach, Frans Ludeke, said this match will be looked at as if it is at the knock-out stage.

“We are all aware of what is going on with regards to the log and realise that we need to win this one. We also know that the Leopards will not hand out any favours. We will have to arrive with the right attitude and as a team will have to play the correct rugby in the right areas of the field.”

The Vodacom Blue Bulls team to play the Leopards on Saturday September 25th, 2010 at Profert Olënpark, Potchefstroom at 15h00 is (with number of VBB caps):

Zane Kirchner (27), Gerhard van den Heever (27), Jaco Pretorius (22), Stefan Watermeyer (19), Jaco van der Westhuyzen (34), Jacques-Louis Potgieter (23), Francois Hougaard (25), Gerrit-Jan van Velze (13), Juandré Kruger (18), Derick Kuün (67), Fudge Mabeta (23), Flip van der Merwe (18), Werner Kruger (53), Gary Botha (70, c), Dean Greyling (16).
Replacements: Chiliboy Ralepelle (15), Rossouw de Klerk (5), Jaco Engels (56), Wilhelm Steenkamp(39), Okkie Kruger (5), Ruan Snyman (11), Hayden Groepes (5).