The Blue Bulls' Springbok wing Akona Ndungane will make his first appearance in this year's Currie Cup competition, against the Leopards at Loftus Versfeld on Friday.

Ndungane's last match was in the Super 14 Final against the Chiefs on 31 May.

He has been sidelined since with a severe case of shin splints.

He has, however, made a full recovery and team doctor Org Strauss confirmed on Monday that Ndungane will be able to play approximately 50 minutes on Friday.

Other good news for the Bulls is that scrumhalf Heini Adams, who suffered an ankle injury in Round Five against the Cheetahs, could be fit to face the Leopards, but the Blue Bulls will have to play without Chiliboy Ralepelle and Gurthro Steenkamp.

Ralepelle and Steenkamp are both in the Springboks' Tri-Nations squad and as a result of this they have been withdrawn from Currie Cup competition by coach Peter de Villiers.

The Boks leave for Australasia next Monday and assemble on Thursday.