06/05/2008 14:10

Pretoria - Bulls scrumhalf Fourie du Preez is back as captain of the team for their Super 14 match against the Brumbies at Loftus Versfeld on Friday.

Du Preez's hand has recovered fully, and as a result of his inclusion in the starting XV, the young promising Francois Hougaard will be one of two backline reserves on the bench.

Coach Frans Ludeke has opted for Morne Steyn ahead of Derick Hougaard in the No 10 jersey which means that Wynand Olivier will again play in the midfield alongside JP Nel.

Derick Hougaard suffered an abscess in his gluteus muscle over the weekend and it turned septic through the course of the last two days and that opened the door for the Vodacom Cup flyhalf Burton Francis to be named on the bench.

There were some concerns that Nel, who injured his hand against the Waratahs, would not be able to play, but he, as well as Bryan Habana (ankle) and Pierre Spies (shoulder), got the green light from the medical team.

Ludeke said at the weekly press conference at Loftus on Tuesday that he is expecting a tough onslaught from the Brumbies especially for the reason that they are playing for a spot in the playoffs.

Bulls:

Zane Kirchner, Akona Ndungane, JP Nel, Wynand Olivier, Bryan Habana, Morné Steyn, Fourie du Preez (captain), Pierre Spies, Wikus van Heerden, Deon Stegmann, Wilhelm Steenkamp, Bakkies Botha, Werner Kruger, Derick Kuün, Gurthro Steenkamp.

Reserves: Bandise Maku, Rayno Gerber, Jaco Engels, Danie Rossouw, Francois Hougaard, Burton Francis, Pedrie Wannenburg.