Blue Bulls coach Handré Marnitz named Ruan Steenkamp as captain of the team to play Border in East London on Friday.

The flanker takes over from Hanro Liebenberg, who has been called into the Bulls wider-squad as backup, which also resulted in a new loose trio for this Currie Cup Qualifying Series match.

Nic de Jager moves into Liebenberg’s no8 jersey, with Tapiwa Tsomondo taking over from De Jager at the side of the scrum.

Tsomondo’s spot on the bench will be filled by Freddy Ngoza.

Maritz also made other changes. Prop Entienne Swanepoel is starting at tighthead with Andrew Beerwinkel out injured and in the backs, Joshua Stander and Franco Naude have been added to the run-on team.

Stander comes in for Tony Jantjies and Naude for Alcino Isaacs.

“We disappointed in ourselves last weekend against Boland and have to bounce back straight away,” Maritz said.

“Border in East London on a Friday night is always a tough assignment, so we need to be sharp and focussed from the start.”

The team is: Divan Rossouw, Kefentse Mahlo, Franco Naude, Marquit September, Jade Stiglingh, Joshua Stander, Ivan van Zyl, Nic de Jager, Tapiwa Tsomondo, Ruan Steenkamp (c), Abongile Nonkontwana, Ruben van Heerden, Entienne Swanepoel, Alandre van Rooyen, Njabulo Gumede. Replacements: Jan-Henning Campher, Martin Dreyer, Matthys Basson, Aston Fortuin, Freddy Ngoza, Andre Warner, Tony Jantjies, Alcino Isaacs.

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