All Blacks wing Julian Savea returns to the Hurricanes’ starting line-up for their Super Rugby match against the Bulls at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria on Sunday.

Assault-accused Savea ruled himself out of the Hurricanes’ 18-16 loss to the Stormers in Palmerston North last week, but has travelled to South Africa for matches against the Bulls and Cheetahs.

The All Blacks winger did not enter a plea when he appeared in Wellington District Court late last month charged with assaulting his partner, and mother of his child. He is due to reappear in court on May 15.

Hurricanes coach Mark Hammett has made two other changes to last week’s starting line-up: Tusi Pisi will run out at inside centre in place of Tim Bateman, and Ash Dixon will make his first Super Rugby start, coming on for injured hooker Motu Matu’u.

The Hurricanes will continue a five-two split on the bench this weekend, with changes including the return of Reggie Goodes and Jack Lam to the match-day 22.

Hurricanes: Andre Taylor, Alapati Leiua, Conrad Smith (capt), Tusi Pisi, Julian Savea, Beauden Barrett, TJ Perenara, Victor Vito, Karl Lowe, Brad Shields, Jason Eaton, Jeremy Thrush, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Ash Dixon, Ben Franks. Res: Reggie Goodes, Ben May, Mark Reddish, Faifili Levave, Jack Lam, Chris Smylie, Tim Bateman.