RG Snyman and Warrick Gelant are among the Springboks who have recovered from injury to start for the Vodacom Bulls against the Reds on Saturday.

Snyman will start in his first match this season after returning from his stint in Japan with an ankle injury, while Gelant will make his return after suffering a shoulder injury while training for the match against the Chiefs in round five.

The duo are joined by captain Handré Pollard and Jesse Kriel, who were rested for the game against the Jaguares last weekend, as well as Marco van Staden, who is back in the loose trio for the first time this year.

Meanwhile, scrumhalves Ivan van Zyl and Embrose Papier have rotated again, with Van Zyl starting his third match of the season. Duane Vermeulen has been rested due to Springbok protocols and is replaced by Paul Schoeman.

Hanro Liebenberg has reverted to the back row, swopping places with Jannes Kirsten, while Jaco Visagie will start at hooker after coming off the bench against the Jaguares.

On the bench, there is a potential first appearance of the season for Roelof Smit, and a potential debut for new signing Wiehan Herbst, who recently joined from Ulster.

Bulls – 15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Johnny Kotze, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Burger Odendaal, 11 Jade Stighling, 10 Handré Pollard (c), 9 Ivan van Zyl, 8 Paul Schoeman, 7 Hanro Liebenberg, 6 Marco van Staden, 5 RG Snyman, 4 Jannes Kirsten, 3 Trevor Nyakane, 2 Jaco Visagie, 1 Lizo Gqoboka.
Subs: 16 Corniel Els, 17 Simphiwe Matanzima, 18 Wiehan Herbst, 19 Thembelani Bholi, 20 Roelof Smit, 21 Embrose Papier, 22 Manie Libbok, 23 Divan Rossouw.

Vodacom Super Rugby teams (Round 9)

Photo: Christiaan Kotze/Backpagepix