Overview
- Sharks interim coach JP Pietersen made two starting changes for the Bulls visit, promoting Jordan Hendrikse to flyhalf and bringing in Hakeem Kunene at fullback with Aphelele Fassi sidelined by concussion.
- Pietersen said it is the right moment to give Hendrikse an extended run at No 10, with George Whitehead returning to the bench before heading back to Griquas after this match.
- The Bulls overhauled their XV with 11 changes, restoring Springboks Handré Pollard at flyhalf and Willie le Roux at fullback, and naming Jan-Hendrik Wessels on the bench for his first game after a nine-week ban.
- Bulls coach Johan Ackermann highlighted set-piece and aerial contests as decisive, while confirming national-rest absences for Ruan Nortje, Marco van Staden and Canan Moodie as the team seeks to halt a four-game skid.
- The Stormers lost Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (groin) and Ruhan Nel (calf) to training injuries, handing starts to Jurie Matthee at flyhalf and Wandisile Simelane at 13, as Neethling Fouché reaches 100 caps; separately, the Junior Springboks added Lions assistant Barend Pieterse as a January consultant.