Pretoria. - Springbok tourist and Vodacom Bulls regular, Heini Adams, will make a rare start for the Vodacom Blue Bulls team when they play the Golden Lions in a Vodacom Cup match at the Bill Jardine Stadium in Johannesburg on Saturday.

Adams, who came off the bench for the Bulls in their opening three Vodacom Super 14 games, is in need for game time, thus the decision to play him in this team, Bulls coach Frans Ludeke explained.

This decision was welcomed by Blue Bulls stalwart and vice captain, Tiger Mangweni.

“Heini brings a lot of experience to our side and the fact that he will be close to the action, will benefit us in the decision-making stakes. We are keen to improve on our performance against the Pumas and having Heini to add in this, will help a lot,” Mangweni said.

There is a chance of the veteran leading the side on the field as regular captain Gerrit-Jan van Velze, is battling with an injured ankle. He will undergo a fitness test on Friday and if ruled out, Dries van Schalkwyk will move to the back of the scrum and Devan Oosthuizen will play at seven.

Adams replace Ruan Snyman, who drops to the bench. Dean Greyling starts at tight head, with Rossouw de Klerk being promoted to the Vodacom Bulls side.

The team is: Tiger Mangweni, Sello Mametsa, Deon Helberg, Stefan Watermeyer, Vainon Willis, Francois Brummer, Heinie Adams, Gerrit-Jan van Velze (c), Dries van Schalkwyk, Okkie Kruger, Fudge Mabeta, Cornell Hess, Dean Greyling, Zane Botha, Jaco Engels. Replacements: AJ le Roux, Morné Mellet, Ivann Espag, Bêrend Botha, Ruan Snyman, Marnitz Boshoff, Devan Oosthuizen/ Vincent Gwavu/ CJ Stander. - thebulls