Bulls pick Chris Smith at No 10 in place of banned Morne Steyn

The Bulls have made three changes to their starting team for Friday's United Rugby Championship clash against Italian outfit Zebre Parma at the Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi.

Chris Smith starts at flyhalf in place of Morne Steyn, who is suspended for three games after a dangerous tackle on Sharks captain Lukhanyo Am in their previous outing.

Smith will form a halfback partnership with Springbok Embrose Papier, who is promoted to the starting XV in place of Zak Burger.

The versatile Kurt-Lee Arendse also makes his way back into the starting XV, running out at fullback in place of David Kriel.

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

Substitutes: 16 Bismarck du Plessis, 17 Simphiwe Matanzima, 18 Robert Hunt, 19 Janko Swanepoel, 20 WJ Steenkamp, 21 Keagan Johannes, 22 Ruan Mostert, 23 Canan Moodie

Bulls director of rugby Jake White has made no changes to his starting pack.

"We are looking forward to being back in action in the URC, following a week’s break after our previous match against the Sharks," White said.

"We are expecting a tough challenge against Zebre Parma, in their own backyard at Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi. We are looking forward to an entertaining game of rugby, with our aim, of course, being an effort to return home with another overseas win under our belts."

Friday's match will kick-off at 19:30 (SA time).