The Bulls have named their team to play reigning Super Rugby champions the Reds this weekend with Francois Hougaard and Johann Sadie back in the team.

The inclusion of Hougaard and Sadie are the only changes in the starting line-up for coach Frans Ludeke.

Hougaard is available again after missing the Blues game due to suspension and Sadie has recovered from a shoulder injury that kept him out of the Cheetahs and Blues matches.

Hougaard replaces Jano Vermaak, who moves to the bench and Sadie will replace Francois Venter. Sadie will play at outside centre and Wynand Olivier at inside centre.

CJ Stander, who replaced Deon Stegmann shortly before the Blues match, will continue in that role with Stegmann still having discomfort from a strained hamstring.

Arno Botha is the new replacement loose forward in place of Gerrit-Jan van Velze.

The 20 year old Botha has recovered from a back injury and proved his fitness for the Blue Bulls against the Pumas in a Cup game last week and will make his Super Rugby debut, should he take to the field.

Ludeke said the Reds will be their biggest challenge so far this season.

“They are the champions and that will be how high the bar will be set."

"We will have to deliver a championship performance if we want to beat them. The effort against the Blues was below par and we know that. "

"We worked hard to be accurate on the weekend and to create and convert chances."

Bulls

Zane Kirchner , Akona Ndungane, Johann Sadie, Wynand Olivier , Bjorn Basson , Morne Steyn , Francois Hougaard , Pierre Spies (C), Jacques Potgieter, CJ Stander , Juandre Kruger , Flip van der Merwe, Werner Kruger, Chiliboy Ralepelle , Dean Greyling .

Replacements: Willie Wepener , Frik Kirsten , Wilhelm Steenkamp , Arno Botha , Jano Vermaak , Louis Fouche , JJ Engelbrecht.