Jacques-Louis Potgieter will start at flyhalf in one of seven changes for the Vodacom Bulls' match against the Rebels in Melbourne on Saturday.

Handré Pollard is being rested due to the agreement with Saru, with Tian Schoeman on the bench.

Other changes to the backline see fullback Jesse Kriel and left wing Travis Ismaiel replacing Jürgen Visser and Bjorn Basson respectively.

In the pack, injured Deon Stegmann is replaced by Lappies Labuschagne, with Grant Hattingh moving to the bench to make way for Victor Matfield, who will play in his 148th Super Rugby match. In a straight swop, Jacques du Plessis starts at No 7 and Arno Botha moves to the bench.

Hooker Adriaan Strauss is also being rested, which will see Callie Visagie running onto the field for his 50th match for the Bulls and Jaco Visagie on the bench.

Bulls coach Frans Ludeke said the changes would not have a negative impact on his side.

'We have an excellent replacement in Pottie as he has vast experience and is a proven competitor at this level. Bjorn is playing great rugby, but needs a break and Travis has shown his potential this far off the bench. It's great to have Victor back as the lineouts will be a key area for us.'

Bulls – 15 Jesse Kriel, 14 Francois Hougaard, 13 JJ Engelbrecht, 12 Burger Odendaal, 11 Travis Ismaiel, 10 Jacques-Louis Potgieter, 9 Rudy Paige, 8 Pierre Spies (c), 7 Jacques du Plessis, 6 Lappies Labuschagne, 5 Victor Matfield, 4 Flip van der Merwe, 3 Marcel van der Merwe, 2 Callie Visagie, 1 Dean Greyling.
Subs: 16 Jaco Visagie, 17 Trevor Nyakane, 18 Werner Kruger, 19 Grant Hattingh, 20 Arno Botha, 21 Tian Schoeman, 22 Bjorn Basson, 23 Jürgen Visser.

Photo: Lee Warren/Gallo Images