The Vodacom Bulls' Springbok lock Bakkies Botha will start in the second row against the Sharks at Loftus on Saturday.

Botha struggled with an ankle injury for more than two months, but he is back to full fitness and looks eager to contribute to the Bulls' Super 14 campaign. He replaces Danie Rossouw, who will play flank alongside Wikus van Heerden.

The coach Frans Ludeke said any team would like to have Botha within their ranks and he is very keen to see the big lock back in action.

"Bakkies looks fresh and the match will determine how long he is going to be on the field.

"He is obviously not ready for the full 80 minutes but it is wonderful to have him in the team because apart from all his other attributes he is one of those players that can turn a game around and it great to have another very experienced guy on the field."

Ludeke opted for Morné Steyn ahead of Derick Hougaard at flyhalf and said that the Bulls are very privilege to have two world class number 10s in their ranks.

"Morné gets game time because of our squad system and I am fully confident in his abilities. It is not widespread that one flyhalf plays all the games in the Super 14 and this is a good opportunity to give him a chance."

Good news for the Bulls is that Akona Ndungane recovered from his stress fracture and he will start in the Bulls number 14-jersey. Ndungane plays in a back three with Zane Kirchner and Danwel Demas, with John Mametsa on the bench.

The captain Fourie du Preez said the sooner the team can get back on the winning path the better, but he assured the supporters that they are not panicking at this stage.

"We have been in this position before and we will take it game by game. There is a lot of character in the Bulls team and I am confident that we can get back on track."

Rayno Gerber, Derick Kuün, Gurthrö Steenkamp
Bakkies Botha, Wilhelm Steenkamp
Danie Rossouw, Pedrie Wanneburg, Wikus van Heerden

Morné Steyn, Fourie du Preez ©
Akona Ndungane, JP Nel, Wynand Olivier, Danwel Demas
Zane Kirchner

Reserves:
James van der Walt, Werner Kruger, Jaco Engels, Deon Stegmann
Heini Adams, Derick Hougaard, John Mametsa