Blue Bulls coach Frans Ludeke has recalled the majority of his senior players - including regular captain Derick Kuun, Werner Kruger and Wilhelm Steenkamp - for their Currie Cup Round Eight encounter with the unpredictable Golden Lions in Johannesburg on Saturday.

Ludeke fielded most of his fringe players in the 44-11 win over the Leopards last week, but he is taking no chances this week.

Kuun and Kruger are going to anchor the scrum, along with Jaco Engels, with Steenkamp packing down in the second row next to Flip van der Merwe.

Ludeke kept his experienced loose trio unchanged for the weekend?s match, but amongst the backs Marius Delport will start on the wing in the place of the injured Akona Ndungane - whilst Jaco Pretorius will resume his midfield partnership with Stefan Watermeyer.

The coach opted for four forwards and three backs on the bench, but there is still doubt over Frik Kirsten?s ankle injury. However, the team doctor, Org Strauss, and Ludeke were both optimistic that the big prop will make a full recovery.

Blue Bulls: 15 Zane Kirchner, 14 Gerhard van den Heever, 13 Jaco Pretorius, 12 Stefan Watermeyer, 11 Marius Delport, 10 Burton Francis, 9 Francois Hougaard, 8 Dewald Potgieter, 7 Pedrie Wannenburg, 6 Deon Stegmann, 5 Wilhelm Steenkamp, 4 Flip van der Merwe, 3 Werner Kruger, 2 Derick Kuun (captain), 1 Jaco Engels. Replacements: 16 Bandise Maku, 17 Frik Kirsten/Dean Greyling, 18 Fudge Mabeta, 19 Jacques Burger, 20 Heini Adams, 21 Francois Brummer, 22 Tiger Mangweni.

Date: Saturday, 29 August
Venue: Coca-Cola Park, Johannesburg
Kick-off: 17.05 (15.05 GMT)
Referee: Craig Joubert
Assistant referee: Francois Veldsman, Peet Badenhorst
TMO: Johann Meuwesen