The Jukskei River derby starts at 19h00 in Johannesburg and will be televised live on the SuperSport Rugby and Grandstand channels.

Odendaal, a former Vodacom Bulls captain, resumes his promising midfield combination with Simelane, who is one of competition’s form players at the moment.

Simelane had an outstanding game last week in the Emirates Lions' 61-31 triumph over Tafel Lager Griquas, setting up four tries while also scoring one himself.

That means Dan Kriel moves to the bench to make way for Odendaal in the midfield.

Wandisile Simelane scores against Tafel Lager Griquas

Wandisile Simelane scores against Tafel Lager Griquas

The match is poised for an exciting contest between the two Gauteng neighbours. Last weekend, the Pride of Jozi won their first match of the competition, with Simelane and Elton Jantjies outstanding on the night.

The Vodacom Bulls, on the other hand, continued with their recent good form by outplaying the DHL Stormers by 39-6 in a dramatic encounter at Loftus where the threat of a dangerous thunderstorm brought an end the game in the second half.

That bonus point win over their southern rivals allowed the Pretoria side to retain their top spot on the log after four rounds.

With the Vodacom Bulls having won their last two meetings against their Gauteng neighbours, after having won only one of their last seven games against the Emirates Lions (L6), the Pride of Jozi will be especially motivated to turn the tables at their Highveld venue.

Emirates Lions: 15 Gianni Lombard; 14 Stean Pienaar, 13 Wandisile Simelane, 12 Burger Odendaal, 11 Courtnall Skosan; 10 Elton Jantjies (captain), 9 Morné van den Berg; 8 Len Massyn, 7 Vincent Tshituka, 6 MJ Pelser, 5 Marvin Orie, 4 Ruben Schoeman, 3 Carlu Sadie, 2 Jaco Visagie, 1 Sti Sithole. Replacements: 16 PJ Botha, 17 Nathan McBeth, 18 Ruan Dreyer, 19 Reinhard Nothnagel, 20 Marnus Schoeman, 21 Ross Cronjé, 22 Dan Kriel, 23 Tiaan Swanepoel.

Match information - Emirates Lions vs Vodacom Bulls
Date: Saturday 7 November
Time: 19h00
Venue: Emirates Airline Park, Johannesburg
Referee: Rasta Rasivhenge
Assistant referees: Cwengile Jadezweni, Egon Seconds
Television Match Official: Marius van der Westhuizen
TV: SuperSport Rugby and Grandstand