Kriel brings up half century

Springbok midfielder Jesse Kriel will play his 50th Super Rugby match when the Bulls take on the Crusaders in Christchurch on Friday.

Kriel debuted for the Bulls in 2014 against the Melbourne Rebels and has been on the team sheet ever since.

Springbok Sevens forward Tim Agaba will play in his first Super Rugby match in Christchurch.

Agaba, who won bronze at the Olympic Games and gold in the World Rugby Sevens Series with the Springbok Sevens team, will start at No. 8 for the Bulls in his debut in one of three changes to the starting team that were edged by the Chiefs in Hamilton last weekend.

Embrose Papier is in the starting line-up for the first time, replacing the injured Andre Warner and Jason Jenkins comes in for RG Snyman at lock.

On the bench,  Bulls coach John Mitchell has included two new faces in Ivan van Zyl and Hendre Stassen, and recalled Frans van Wyk as the replacement tighthead. Van Zyl moved into the spot vacated by Papier and Stassen, who is also on debut, will take over from Jenkins as back-up lock.

Van Wyk replaces the suspended Conraad van Vuuren.

BULLS

15. Warrick Gelant, 14. Travis Ismaiel, 13. Jesse Kriel, 12. Burger Odendaal (C), 11. Divan Rossouw, 10. Handre Pollard, 9. Embrose Papier, 8. Tim Agaba, 7. Hanro Liebenberg, 6. Roelof Smit, 5. Lood de Jager, 4. Jason Jenkins, 3. Trevor Nyakane, 2. Jaco Visagie, 1. Pierre Schoeman.

Replacements: 16. Adriaan Strauss, 17. Lizo Gqoboka, 18. Frans van Wyk, 19. Hendre Stassen, 20. Marco van Staden, 21. Ivan van Zyl, 22. Manie Libbok, 23. Johnny Kotze.

@rugby365