The match at Loftus Versfeld is scheduled to kick off at 14h00, and it will be broadcast live on SuperSport.

With Papier starting, Zak Burger moves to the bench, while new recruit, Dylan Smith, is likely to make his debut for the Vodacom Bulls off the bench as prop cover.

“We are expecting a tough match against Benetton this weekend, as we found when we faced them in the final of the Rainbow Cup last year,” said Vodacom Bulls Director of Rugby, Jake White.

“They are a good side that has had some good wins against strong teams such as the DHL Stormers and Edinburgh, among other wins this season. They will also be full of confidence with a full complement of their international players who were involved when Italy beat Wales not too long ago in the Six Nations.

“We will need to be at our best to counter a dangerous team like Benetton.”

Vodacom Bulls: 15 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 14 Canan Moodie, 13 Lionel Mapoe, 12 Cornal Hendricks, 11 Madosh Tambwe, 10 Chris Smith, 9 Embrose Papier, 8 Elrigh Louw, 7 Cyle Brink, 6 Marcell Coetzee (capt), 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Walt Steenkamp, 3 Mornay Smith, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 1 Gerhard Steenekamp. Replacements: 16  Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 17 Simphiwe Matanzima, 18 Dylan Smith, 19 Janko Swanepoel, 20 Arno Botha; 21 Zak Burger, 22 Morne Steyn, 23 Stedman Gans.