Crusaders backrower Kieran Read will miss Saturday’s Super Rugby playoff game against the Bulls because of a rib injury.
Read missed the Crusaders’ final regular season match against the Western Force with the same injury last weekend and has yet to recover full fitness.
The Crusaders have made three changes to their lineup: Wyatt Crockett was chosen at loosehead prop ahead of Ben Franks and Sam Whitelock at lock ahead of Tom Donnelly. Franks and Donnelly both move to the reserves bench.
Adam Whitelock moves from centre to wing, allowing Robbie Fruean to return in midfield.
The return of fit-again lock Flip van der Merwe marks the only change to the Bulls.
A hip injury forced Van der Merwe to miss last weekend’s 37-20 victory over the Lions. He replaces Wilhelm Steenkamp, who drops into the reserves, while CJ Stander falls out the match 22.
The winner of the match between the seven-time champion Crusaders and three-time champion Bulls will progress to the tournament semi-finals.
Bulls: Zane Kirchner, Akona Ndungane, JJ Engelbrecht, Wynand Olivier, Bjorn Basson, Morne Steyn, Francois Hougaard, Pierre Spies (captain), Dewald Potgieter, Jacques Potgieter Juandre Kruger, Flip van der Merwe, Werner Kruger, Chiliboy Ralepelle, Dean Greyling. Reserves: Willie Wepener, Frik Kirsten, Wilhelm Steenkamp, Deon Stegmann, Jano Vermaak, Louis Fouche, Francois Venter.