Rugby: Botha back for Bulls

Springbok lock Bakkies Botha will play his first game of the season for the Bulls this weekend. Photo / Getty Images

PRETORIA - Springboks lock Bakkies Botha will make a long-awaited return from injury for the Bulls in Saturday's Super 14 match with the Sharks.

Botha was named in the starting lineup today for his first game since South Africa's win over Italy in a test last November.

The physical forward has been sidelined for nearly six months with an Achilles' heel injury and last played in the Super 14 in the Bulls' 2009 final win over the Chiefs.

Botha will be reunited with international teammate Victor Matfield after replacing Danie Rossouw at No 4.

"It's nice to have `Ou Grote' (the big one) back next to me," Bulls captain Matfield said on the Supersport website. "But we are very privileged to have locks of the quality of Danie and Flip (van der Merwe).

"If you look at how well Danie played last weekend against the Lions, it must have been a difficult decision," Matfield said. Botha's inclusion was one of five changes to the team that beat the Johannesburg-based Lions 51-11.

Centre Jacques-Louis Potgieter will start his first Super 14 game for the Bulls after nine appearances this season as a replacement.

"I have been waiting for this for 10 weeks now, so I cannot wait to take on the Sharks," Potgieter said. "I am very keen to use the opportunity and grab my chance."

Coach Frans Ludeke also recalled fit-again wing Francois Hougaard in place of John Mametsa.

Springboks halfback Fourie du Preez was back at No 9 after being moved to the bench for the local derby against the Lions, and Deon Stegmann has replaced Derick Kuun at flanker.

First five-eighths Morne Steyn, who became South Africa's highest pointscorer in Super rugby last week, needs 23 points to become the fastest man to 200 points in a season.

Crusaders No 10 Daniel Carter holds the record after reaching 200 points in 12 matches in 2004.

Steyn has 177 points in 10 matches this year.

Bulls
Zane Kirchner, Gerhard van den Heever, Jacques-Louis Potgieter, Wynand Olivier, Francois Hougaard, Morne Steyn, Fourie du Preez; Gurthro Steenkamp, Gary Botha, Werner Kruger, Bakkies Botha, Victor Matfield (captain), Deon Stegmann, Dewald Potgieter, Pierre Spies.

Reserves: Bandise Maku, Bees Roux, Danie Rossouw, Derick Kuun, Heini Adams, Stephan Dippenaar, Pedrie Wannenburg.

- AP