Apart from Nyakane coming in at prop, Ruan Nortje and Marco van Staden return at lock and openside flank respectively for the match that kicks off at 19h00 and will be broadcast live on SuperSport. AJ Jacobs is the referee.

In the backline, former Junior Springbok scrumhalf Zak Burger, who made the move from Kimberley to Pretoria three weeks ago, gets his first run for the Vodacom Bulls.

Cornal Hendricks and Stedman Gans resume their midfield partnership, with Marco Jansen van Vuren shifting to left wing and Marnus Potgieter being named on the extended bench. Richard Kriel replaces his brother, David, at fullback with the latter being rested.

The bench also sees an influx of experience as Johan Grobbelaar (hooker), Jacques van Rooyen (prop), Tim Agaba (loose forward) and veteran Springbok Morné Steyn (flyhalf) are all set to add fresh legs later in the match.

“The North-South derby is always a ferocious affair and this match will be no different,” said Vodacom Bulls Director or Rugby, Jake White.

“The fact that it is a warm-up does not make it easier. We’ve named a little more experience for this meeting which was always in the plan as we gather momentum to the upcoming season.”

Vodacom Bulls: 15 Richard Kriel, 14 Madosh Tambwe, 13 Stedman Gans, 12 Cornal Hendricks, 11 Marco Jansen van Vuren, 10 Chris Smith, 9 Zak Burger, 8 Nizaam Carr (captain), 7 Werner Gouws, 6 Marco van Staden, 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Janko Swanepoel, 3 Trevor Nyakane, 2 Joe van Zyl, 1 Gerhard Steenekamp. Replacements (from): 16 Johan Grobbelaar, 17 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 18 Jacques van Rooyen, 19 Jan Uys, 20 Tim Agaba, 21 Keagan Johannes, 22 Morné Steyn, 23 Diego Appollis, 24 Nolan Pienaar, 25 Raynard Roets, 26 Marnus Potgieter.