Jake White rests key Springboks for Champions Cup opener

Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White has decided to rest a number of key players for Saturday's Champions Cup opener against Lyon in Pretoria.

The likes of Springboks Kurt-Lee Arendse, Johan Goosen and Elrigh Louw have all been rested, but those are just a few of the changes in an entirely new-look starting XV from the one that defeat Cardiff in the United Rugby Championship last weekend.

"I said when this month started that we are going to be very clever about how we manage the players," said White.

"It's just turned out that a couple of Springboks came back and needed some time off.

"Some guys have worked really hard to get a game and I just felt it is a home game and it is a good opportunity for some boys who have pushed really hard to get a start.

"There are three Springboks, five or six guys who won a Currie Cup Final, two guys played in a Super Rugby Final three times, so there is enough experience there."

Wandisile Simelane has been handed the No 15 jersey and will form a back three with Sibongile Novuka and Stravino Jacobs.

Stedman Gans and Marco Jansen van Vuren will marshal the midfield, while veteran flyhalf Morne Steyn returns at 10 alongside halfback partner Bernard van der Linde.

Up front, the back row consists of Muller Uys, WJ Steenkamp and Nizaam Carr, while Jacques du Plessis returns alongside Reinhardt Ludwig as the lock pairing.

Jacques van Rooyen, Bismarck du Plessis and Dylan Smith pack down in the front row.

Bulls: 15 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 14 David Kriel, 13 Cornal Hendricks, 12 Harold Vorster, 11 Canan Moodie, 10 Johan Goosen, 9 Zak Burger, 8 Elrigh Louw, 7 Cyle Brink, 6 Marco Van Staden, 5 Ruan Nortje (captain), 4 Ruan Vermaak, 3 Mornay Smith, 2 Johan Grobberlaar, 1 Gerhard Steenekamp.Replacements: 16 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 17 Simphiwe Matanzima, 18 Francois Klopper, 19 Janko Swanepoel, 20 Nizaam Carr, 21 Embrose Papier, 22 Chris Smith, 23 Lionel Mapoe.

Date: Saturday, December 3Venue: Loftus Versfeld, PretoriaKick-off: 20:00Referee: Sam Grove-White (Scotland)Assistant referees: Cwengile Jadezweni (South Africa), Griffin Colby (South Africa)TMO: Eoghan Cross (Ireland)