Bulls coach Jake White deploys Bok trio for Dragons engagement

Blue Bulls coach Jake White has made three changes to his run-on team for their engagement against the Dragons at Loftus on Saturday.

Springboks Arno Botha, Embrose Papier and Lionel Mapoe will start at 8th man, scrumhalf and outside centre, respectively for the United Rugby Championship (URC) match.

The visiting side has been bolstered by the return of some of their international players who have recently been on duty with the Welsh side at the Six Nations.

Dragons were, on their trip to South Africa earlier in the week, joined by Wales trio Ben Carter, Leon Brown and Rhodri Williams.

"This week we are up against a Dragons side that has welcomed back at least three of their internationals from Welsh duty, so that is a reflection of the strong team we will be facing," said White. 

"This is a side that is well-coached and has shown how dangerous they can be. They will be motivated to do well and begin their tour of South Africa on a positive note. We will need to be at our very best if we intend to stop this side that can pose a real challenge."

Kick-off on Saturday is at 19:15.

Blue Bulls

15 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 14 Canan Moodie, 13 Lionel Mapoe, 12 Harold Vorster, 11 Madosh Tambwe, 10 Chris Smith, 9 Embrose Papier, 8 Arno Botha, 7 Cyle Brink, 6 Marcell Coetzee (captain), 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Walt Steenkamp, 3 Jacques van Rooyen, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 1 Gerhard Steenkamp

Substitutes: 16 Joe van Zyl, 17 Simphiwe Matanzima, 18 Mornay Smith, 19 Reinhardt Ludwig, 20 WJ Steenkamp, 21 Zak Burger, 22 Morné Steyn, 23 Cornal Hendricks